arson

Melville firefighters decided, after seeing all the damage at the home, to call in the State Fire Marshal's Office.

23-year-old Holden James Matthews has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after he admitted to intentionally setting fire to three African-American churches in St. Landry Parish in the Spring of 2019.

The Lafayette Fire Department assisted the Scott Fire Department in putting out the blaze.

The firefighter had only been with the department for three months and allegedly just wanted to help put out a fire.

The vacant structure belonged to a family member of the accused.

Witnesses reported seeing Marvin fleeing the shed in question just before smoke and flames erupted from the structure.

The incident happened last month but the arrest was made earlier this week.

The State Fire Marshal's office says the man has attempted to set fire to his family's home on multiple occasions.

One of the suspects told investigators the fire was intentionally set in order to obtain insurance money.

Baton Rouge police are looking for the man in this video seen walking up to a truck parked at a home and setting it on fire.

A 7-year-old boy admits setting a fire that damaged a northwest Louisiana church.

The two arrested have been charged with arson and insurance fraud.