Three teens arrested for trying to burn down Corbin house

Three teenagers accused of trying to burn down a vacant house on Maynor Street last Tuesday made their first appearance in court Monday.

Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, public affairs officer, said the juveniles, two of whom are 17 and the third is 16, will return to court at a later date that has not been determined to face charges of third-degree arson.

The trio was arrested a short time after the fire was called in to Corbin Dispatch about 10:30 p.m.

When firefighters arrived on the scene off of 4th Street, they reported heavy smoke coming out of the roof. The firefighters went in through the back door with a hose line to attack the fire that was burning on the walls inside. Other firefighters went up on the roof to get at the fire that had spread up into the attic.

Corbin Fire Chief Barry McDonald said on the floors inside, firefighters found marks that indicated some kind of accelerant had been poured and ignited. They later determined the accelerant to be gasoline and that a cigarette lighter was used to ignite it.
Near an outbuilding in the back yard, firefighters found a jug they believe held the gasoline.

"A short time later, the three juveniles were found close by and had an odor of what appeared to be gasoline on them," Jones stated.

The teens were taken to the police department where they were charged and later released to the custody of their parents.
Jones noted that third-degree arson is a class "D" felony.

McDonald said damage to the home, which belongs to Gary and Rhonda Steely, was minor, estimating it at about $15,000.