By By Adrienne McKenzie
Arson was the cause of a house fire July 2 at 2386 Jerkins Loop in Canoe, according to the Escambia County Sheriffs Department.
Charges have been filed against Christopher R. Hall, 20, and a male juvenile, both from the Atmore area.
Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith said the investigation is complete.
"A conviction will close the case," Smith said.
The Escambia County Sheriffs Department received a call at 3:18 a.m. concerning a fire at a house rented by Andy Braddock of Atmore and owned by Mike Moye, also of Atmore.
As the deputies were on the way to the house, they received another call about an accident involving a truck that belonged to Braddock. The Wawbeek Fire Department continued to the scene of the house fire while Alabama State Troopers and the Escambia County Sheriffs Department deputies responded to the wreck, which was on Cowpen Creek Road.
As deputies reached the scene of the accident, they observed that the truck, which was towing a horse trailer, had run off the road and went through a fence. The vehicle was left on the side of the road.
According to a press release from the Escambia County Sheriffs Department, whoever drove the truck tried to set fire to it but was not successful. The Alabama Fire Marshal's office was called in to assist in the investigation to determine if the house fire was arson.
Deputies were able to detain and question Hall and the male juvenile, due to the cooperation of local citizens.
The two individuals admitted to burglarizing the home, setting it on fire and stealing the vehicle. Both Hall and the juvenile were charged with Arson 2nd, Burglary 2nd and Theft of Property 1st. Hall was transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility and the juvenile was detained in a juvenile facility.
Smith said Hall and the juvenile knew Braddock and that this was not a random act.
The stolen vehicle suffered moderate damage and the house was a total loss.
"Only the frame of the house is left," Smith said.
The belongings of Braddock that were taken from the house were retrieved.
Smith credits the arrest of Hall and the juvenile to the information given to the deputies by citizens and deputies, Sgt. Matt Hammon, Sgt. Brandon Burkett, Sgt. Adam Johnson and Deputy Tracy Owens for following up on the information.
"I would like to thank the community and the hard work of the officers," Smith said.