SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.
Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the report of a person squirting lighter fluid all over an apartment in a domestic situation at the Jackson Towers Apartments, 1122 SW Jackson Street, according to department spokesman Alan Stahl.
Upon arrival, fire crews found the apartment evacuated, but no fire. The incident commander requested an investigator, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.
After interviewing the victim and collecting evidence at the scene, it was determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the suspect identified as 53-year-old Carl Lester for the crime of Attempted Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Assault.
Police located Lester later in the day and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.