A Sioux Center man is facing felony charges after authorities say he intentionally set a fire inside an occupied apartment building early Sunday morning.
According to Sioux Center Fire Chief David Van Holland, firefighters were called at about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, February 22nd, to a fire alarm at Center Apartments on Highway 75. When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke coming from one unit.
The Ireton and Orange City fire departments were also paged to assist, but Sioux Center firefighters were able to knock down the fire before the other departments could get set up. Crews ventilated the building and extinguished the blaze, which Chief Van Holland says involved a bed inside a bedroom.
No injuries were reported. Damage was largely confined to the single apartment unit, and firefighters were on scene for about an hour. At the time, the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Later Sunday, Sioux Center Police arrested 30-year-old Johnathan Hernandez Ramos of Sioux Center in connection with the fire.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office, an officer alleges Hernandez Ramos intentionally set the fire in his bedroom using a red lighter, igniting it against a wall shared with a neighboring unit.
The complaint states Hernandez Ramos told officers he believed neighbors had instructed him to start the fire and threatened to kill him or his dog if he did not comply. Authorities say that claim followed an earlier disagreement with a neighboring family that includes minor children.
Investigators allege Hernandez Ramos had been using methamphetamine for several years and was under the influence at the time of the incident. The complaint further states that after smoke accumulated, he opened his apartment door and manually activated the fire alarm when it did not initially sound.
As other tenants evacuated, police say he attempted to enter another apartment but was denied access. Officers also allege he slid a bag containing methamphetamine under the door of the neighboring unit involved in the earlier dispute.
Authorities report Hernandez Ramos admitted to starting the fire. A red lighter believed to have been used to ignite the blaze was recovered near the doorway of his apartment. Police also report locating a THC vape device and additional drug paraphernalia inside the unit.
Hernandez Ramos has been charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison if convicted. He also faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree criminal mischief, possession of cannabidiol, and possession of methamphetamine.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 3rd. As of last report, he remained in the Sioux County Jail in Orange City on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.
This Story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA Radio:
https://kiwaradio.com/news/sioux-center-apartment-damaged-in-early-sunday-fire
https://kiwaradio.com/lights-sirens/sioux-center-man-faces-arson-charge-after-apartment-fire
