Rankin County, MS Firefighters Suspected of Arson

March 10, 2003
Lawmen believe they've solved an arson in south Rankin county, but you'll be shocked to learn who the suspects are.

Lawmen believe they've solved an arson in south Rankin county, but you'll be shocked to learn who the suspects are.

Billy Dodd, chief arson investigator for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department, says three people have been arrested -- including the chief of the Mountain Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 34-year-old Lewis Herrington.

Assistant Fire Chief Vic Hasie, Jr., 23, and his wife Virginia, 20, were also arrested.

All three are charged with second degree arson in a mobile home fire they allegedly set and responded to at the intersection of South Enochs Grove Road and Ball Road below Florence.

No one lived in the home. All three are out on $5,000 bonds each.

Dodd says the trio apparently tried unsuccessfully to torch the structure around 2:30 Sunday morning, February 23. They allegedly went back and finished the job at 5:00 a.m.

As for a motive, Dodd says apparently they just wanted to put out a fire.

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