The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Deputies arrested three adult males for the Jan. 3 arson of a vacant farm house fire in Townsend.
Joseph Shemanski, 19, and Brandon Webb, 18, both of Middletown, and Joseph Brister, 20, of Townsend, were charged with starting the fire in the200 block of Grears Corner Road, Townsend, shortly before 5:30 a.m. Jan. 3.
Fire Marshal Alan Brown stated in a press release that the Middletown Fire Company responded to the 200 block of Grears Corner Road, Townsend, shortly before 5:30 a.m. Upon their arrival, they observed smoke and heavy fire conditions.
Firefighters fought the fire and brought it under control within 90 minutes. There were no injuries.
Several neighboring Delaware and Maryland fire companies also responded and assisted fighting the blaze.
A State Fire Marshal Deputies investigation revealed the fire, which caused heavy fire damage to the structure was intentionally set.
Damage is estimated at $10,000.
Shemanski, Webb and Brister were charged with arson second degree, conspiracy second and criminal mischief. They were arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $10,000 unsecured bond pending a hearing in Court of Common Pleas.
