COTTON VALLEY, La. (AP) -- Two volunteer firefighters here were booked with simple arson after allegedly setting a former Masonic lodge on fire.
A third volunteer firefighter has been charged with being an accessory to the blaze at the vacant structure off state Highway 160.
``It was not a big fire. It did not burn down,'' Cotton Valley Police Chief Terry Brown said of the blaze that was reported at 11:39 p.m. Tuesday. ``But all of the subjects admitted to being a part of it or actually setting the fire.''
David Dick, 19, and Michael Musgrove, 18, were booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center at Doyline about 3 a.m. Wednesday, the police chief said. Both face a charge of simple arson. Vicki Downs, 27, was booked on a charge of accessory after the fact, Brown said.
Dick has been a volunteer with the Cotton Valley Volunteer Fire Department for four years, Fire Chief Michael Pyles said. Musgrove joined the 26-member department four weeks ago and Downs signed up three weeks ago, the fire chief said.
``It was an unfortunate incident,'' Pyles said. ``I am glad we had some able and competent firefighters that were able to take hold of it and get it under control.''
Authorities have not determined the exact cause of the fire, nor a motive.
``We do know there was a flammable liquid but we don't know exactly what,'' Pyles said.
That aspect of the investigation is being handled by the state fire marshal's office, he said.
Dick, Musgrove and Downs have been suspended from the Fire Department pending resolution of the criminal charges against them, the fire chief said. Proper disciplinary action will be taken by the Fire Department at that time, Pyles said.
Fire Department officers will determine what punishment the three will face, because it's the first time an incident like this has happened, he said.
Brown, who became police chief in January, likewise said this is the first time he's arrested anyone on an arson charge in the four years he's been with the town Police Department.
The Fire Department, which predominantly responds to medical calls, has a full-time captain, Pyles said. All other members volunteer and are paid only a $5 supplement per call for their time and to help cover the cost of gasoline, he said.
Information from: The Times
