Spencer, Iowa — A Spencer teen has been charged with arson after a fire in Spencer early on Tuesday, January 5th, 2016.
According to Spencer Fire Chief Douglas Duncan, about 3:30 AM on Tuesday, Spencer Fire-Rescue was dispatched to a house fire at 612 Third Avenue West in Spencer.
He says when they got there, they saw fire coming from the south and east side of the house. Duncan says firefighters entered the building and encountered high heat and heavy smoke.
He says the home suffered major fire damage to the kitchen and dining area. He says the home also received heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure. He says the Department was on scene for about three hours. He says no injuries were reported.
Duncan reports that officers charged 18-year old Bianca Watkins with Second Degree Arson, a class C felony. Officers believe Watkins set the fire. He says officers also charged her with two counts of animal abuse.
Chief Duncan says an Agent of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Clay County Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
Eighteen firefighters fought the blaze says Duncan, and they were assisted by the Spencer Municipal Hospital Ambulance team and the Spencer Police Department.
