A 47-year-old New Franklin man has been charged with a couple of felonies for allegedly setting fire to his residence in Howard County last year.
According to a probable-cause statement, on September 7, a fire investigator was asked to look into a fire that occurred in the 100 block of North Union Street- the residence of Kevin Snider, who had the dwelling and its contents insured for $40,000 and $5,000, respectively.
The investigator determined the fire started in the basement below the kitchen and spread outward and upward. No accidental cause existed in that location which would have caused the fire.
On or about September 9, Snider filed insurance claims for $40,000 on the structure and $5,000 on its contents.
On September 11, Snider reportedly gave a verbal and subsequent written admission that he had used a lighter to set a fire to clothing in the basement in the area below the kitchen in order to burn the residence.
According to court documents, a criminal summons has been issued and Snider has been charged with a Class D Felony for Arson in the Second Degree; and a Class E Felony for Defrauding Secured Creditors.
Snider’s initial arraignment is scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, at Howard County Circuit Court.