Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 4:39 p.m.
Read more: Local, Fire, Arson, Pierson, Helton, Firefighters, Adair County
KIRKSVILLE, MO --
A volunteer firefighter is one of two Adair County men behind bars accused of starting a series of recent fires.
Wednesday night, authorities arrested 17-year-old Robert Helton of Brashear on three counts of 2nd degree arson, a Class C Felony. Also arrested on the same three charges was 17-year-old Nicholas Pierson of Kirksville.
The two allegedly set fire to two sheds on a property on Sandstone Lane Southeast of Kirksville Wednesday afternoon. The blaze destroyed the small buildings sitting near a vacant house. The two are also accused of torching sheds on Foxtrot Lane and Titan Lane, both in Adair County.
Helton is a probationary volunteer firefighter with Eastern Adair County Fire and Rescue, which responded to the fire. A partially burnt Adair County bond sheet with Helton's name and address were found at the scene, leading to the arrests.
