Arraignment Set in Pike County Field and Barn Fires

An Amish man who allegedly admitted to setting ablaze two fields and a barn in Pike County Missouri will be arraigned Wednesday.

22-year-old Melvin J. Yoder of rural Curryville is charged with felony arson and burglary after the incidents January 24 southwest of Bowling Green.

Yoder was arrested after Pike County sheriff’s deputies investigated what they reported as suspected intentional fires on Route Y and two county roads. There were no injuries, but authorities reported a barn with 700 hay bales valued at 28 hundred dollars was destroyed. The fires took place within about three hours of each other.

In a probable cause statement, authorities allege Yoder admitted to setting the fires after reportedly telling deputies he had been drinking and was depressed.