A 34-year-old Wamac man has been arrested for residential arson in connection with a fire that heavily damaged a neighbor's mobile home late Monday afternoon. Joshua Keebler of Ralston Street was taken into custody Tuesday morning after being questioned by a Deputy State Fire Marshall. Keebler is accused of setting a fire at a mobile home occupied by James and Misty Horton of 132 Ralston Street while they were away shopping. Reports indicate Keebler was seen leaving the area of the Horton mobile home at the same time smoke became visible. Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach says Keebler admitted lighting a piece of paper on fire with three matches and then threw it down onto a mattress when it started burning. Other witnesses indicated Keebler had made threats to burn the home down following a disagreement with James Horton earlier in the day. Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Greg Earl says they were able to quickly knock down the fire before it spread from the one room. However, there was heat and smoke damage throughout the mobile home and it is expected to be a total loss. No injuries were reported. Keebler remains in the Marion County Jail pending his first court appearance on Wednesday. z1e2o
