1 arrested on arson charges after fire rips through Dayton apartment building Thursday

DAYTON — Fire investigators ruled the cause of an apartment fire Thursday morning as arson and have arrested a man on those charges, according to firefighters and jail records.

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Multiple fire crews responded to the apartment building in the 200 block of South Harbine Avenue just before 10 a.m. Firefighters reported heavy flames were coming through the structure when they arrived on scene.

No injuries were reported however the occupants of two apartments within the structure are displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross, Dayton Fire Capt. Brad French told News Center 7 in an emailed statement.

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French confirmed one person was detained at the scene following the arson investigation but was not able to release the identity of the suspect.

Online jail records indicate Charles D. Shepherd, 59, was arrested at the scene of the fire and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on two preliminary charges of arson.

Additional details about the fire and investigation were not released. We’ll update this story as we learn more.

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