Man indicted for arson in Dayton apartment fire

Credit: Montgomery County Jail

Credit: Montgomery County Jail

The Dayton Fire Department was called just before 10 a.m. Dec. 9 to a fire at a four-unit apartment building at 256 S. Harbine Ave. with people trapped inside, according to a Dayton Police Department incident report.

Heavy flames were visible when crews arrived, but no one was injured, according to reports.

The American Red Cross was called to assist displaced residents.

An arson investigator determined that multiple fires were set in one apartment, and that Shepherd was the only occupant of that unit and had no visitors before the fire, according to an affidavit filed in court.

“Shepherd was identified as making statements to burn the building down prior to the fire and was observed causing damage to the boarded window of the structure on the date of the fire incident,” the affidavit stated.

A torch-style lighter was found in Shepherd’s right pants pocket, according to the document.

Shepherd remains in the Montgomery County Jail.

Credit: Dayton Fire Department

Credit: Dayton Fire Department