From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT — A Trussville man is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on suspicion of arson following a fire at an apartment complex in Center Point in the early-morning hours of Thursday.
Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire at the Highland Park Townhomes located on 344 20th Ave. NE, around 12:30 a.m., on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Fire Chief Gene Coleman said heavy smoke and fire was visible when his crews arrived.
“They saw the fire going up the side of the apartment,” Coleman said. “They quickly extinguished the fire.”
Coleman said no one was reported injured in the fire. There are some damaged units and people living in those units were displaced. According to someone who works at townhomes, those people were able to find other places to stay for now.
Hours following the fire, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Jarvis Milton, 31, of Trussville, on suspicion of arson after an occupant of the Highland Park Townhomes informed the deputies of the identity of a possible person of interest. Following a search, deputies located Milton and arrested him on violation of a current protection from abuse order.
Upon his arrest, deputies discovered that some of Milton’s clothing smelled of gasoline.
Milton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:31 a.m. and is being held on $6,000 bond.
Additional charges could be handed down.
An investigation into the fire continues.
