Published: May 09, 2008 07:29 am      

Mentally handicapped man charged with arson

Local News

A resident of a home for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities has been arrested and charged with first-degree arson after he allegedly started a fire in a bathroom.

Robert J. Ketteler, 22, was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center Wednesday evening after he admitted to authorities that he started the fire at the Pine Hill Road residence.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and the Dabney Fire Department responded to the report of the fire shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday. The Somerset Fire/EMS Department’s Fire Investigation Division was also called to the scene.

The investigation by the sheriff’s department and the Fire Investigation Division revealed that the fire was started by Ketteler in the bathroom. Investigators did not say how the fire was started.

According to the sheriff’s department, other residents of the home were inside when the fire started.

Damage to the residence was minimal.

Robert Baugh with the Fire Investigation Division said the caretaker at the residence was able to get the fire under control with the use of an extinguisher before the fire department arrived.

Ketteler remained lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center Thursday on a $50,000 bond.