January 20, 2009 - Man Arrested for Setting Apartment on Fire

Fire at the Centenary Garden Apartments

The Shreveport Fire Department was dispatched to the Centenary Garden Apartments this morning at 3:40 AM at 1625 Centenary Boulevard. Fire crews arrived on scene within four minutes to find heavy smoke coming from a downstairs apartment. The blaze was contained to the kitchen area and was extinguished within a matter of minutes. The apartment was occupied at the time by one adult male who escaped with no injuries. There were no other injuries at the fire. The fire damage was contained to the one apartment. The other apartments in the building received some smoke damage but did not have to be vacated.

Shreveport Fire Investigator Chris Robinson investigated the incident and stated during the interview process that the 27-year old occupant, Melvin Tyner, admitted to starting the fire by setting paper on fire on top of the stove. The man was arrested for aggravated arson which can result in a maximum of 20 years in prison.