Oct. 20--Prosecutors have charged a second individual in connection with the fire that destroyed a South Cooper Street home June 6.
Scott A. Reed, 45, is facing Class C felony charges of conspiracy to commit arson and aiding, inducing or causing arson.
Investigators with the Indiana State Fire Marshals office overruled the original determination on the fire, which the Kokomo Fire Department called an accidental electrical blaze.
Fire marshal investigators said there was evidence fires had been started in three spots around the house, and said the owners of the home, 1509 S. Cooper St., had removed all of the exterior siding and interior drywall off the structure.
The electrical panel, breakers, water heater and furnace had also been removed from the house, according to the fire marshal's report.
Scott Reed's wife, Tamara L. Reed, 29, has also been charged in the fire, which she claimed she set at her husband's insistence.
According to fire marshal investigators, Tamara Reed initially denied any involvement in the blaze, then admitted she had started the fire.
If convicted, both Reeds could face up to eight years on each charge.
When fire crews responded to the fire on the afternoon of June 6 at 1509 S. Cooper St., they found flames and smoke coming the house. No one was inside at the time.
Fire marshal investigators based their ruling on an investigation by Indiana Basic Property Insurance.
The company called the fire marshal's office to investigate.
According to the court documents, Tamara said she started a fire in the closet in the southwest bedroom by using lamp oil.
She started another fire behind the washer and dryer using lamp oil. The last fire was set on the sofa in the living room.
The affidavit also stated Tamara claimed she started the fires because Scott made her and said that if she refused he would take the kids away and she would never see them again.
She also told investigators that Scott had offered another man $1,000 to set fire to the home.
When interviewed, Scott Reed said he had nothing to do with the fire and said he never talked to anyone about the fire.
Damage to the structure was estimated at $50,000 and the contents were estimated at $25,000, according to court records.
Scott Smith can be reached at
765-454-8569 or at [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Kokomo Tribune, Ind.
