Arrest Made During Sunday House Fire In Pierceton
January 14, 2019 at 6:36 p.m.
Arrest Made During Sunday House Fire In Pierceton
By David [email protected]
Shane Scott Skeens, 30, of 306 W. Tower St., Pierceton, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 7:55 p.m. Sunday for obstructing a fireman performing duties, battery with bodily waste, battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and resisting law enforcement. His initial bond was $5,250.
At approximately 2:57 p.m. Sunday, an off-duty Pierceton Police Department officer saw a large amount of black smoke coming from the area of Third and Tower streets, according to a PPD news release. When the officer arrived at 306 W. Tower St., he noticed a man – later identified as Skeens – standing outside the residence. Skeens tried to re-enter the engulfed home, but was told not to by the officer because it wasn’t safe.
The release states Skeens became upset and combative toward the officer and another Pierceton resident who was helping the officer keep Skeens from going back inside the burning home. Skeens bit the officer’s hand and spit on him. He also clawed the resident’s neck and spit on him, according to the release.
Skeens was taken to the jail by the KCSO, said Kosciusko Sheriff Kyle Dukes.
PFD Chief Gordon Baker said the single-family two-story home was owned by Stephanie Wilcox. Baker said it was an older home that had been remodeled and presented some challenges to the firefighters as it had a lot of hidden voids. Firefighters were on scene about four hours.
The release states Skeens lived there and was the only one home at the time of the fire.
No one was injured as a result of the fire, Baker said.
Estimated damage to the home and contents is over $160,000, he said.
The fire remains under investigation by the PPD, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Pierceton/Washington Township Fire Department and fire investigators from Kosciusko County Squad 70.
Assisting the Pierceton Fire Department at the scene were the North Webster, Winona Lake and Sidney fire departments; American Red Cross for the homeowner, and also provided a canteen for the firefighters; PPD, KCSO; and Lutheran EMS. Baker said over 40 men assisted at the scene.
Assisting the PPD were the KCSO, Winona Lake Police Department, North Webster Police Department, Kosciusko County Central Dispatch, Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office and Kosciusko Animal Control.
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Shane Scott Skeens, 30, of 306 W. Tower St., Pierceton, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 7:55 p.m. Sunday for obstructing a fireman performing duties, battery with bodily waste, battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and resisting law enforcement. His initial bond was $5,250.
At approximately 2:57 p.m. Sunday, an off-duty Pierceton Police Department officer saw a large amount of black smoke coming from the area of Third and Tower streets, according to a PPD news release. When the officer arrived at 306 W. Tower St., he noticed a man – later identified as Skeens – standing outside the residence. Skeens tried to re-enter the engulfed home, but was told not to by the officer because it wasn’t safe.
The release states Skeens became upset and combative toward the officer and another Pierceton resident who was helping the officer keep Skeens from going back inside the burning home. Skeens bit the officer’s hand and spit on him. He also clawed the resident’s neck and spit on him, according to the release.
Skeens was taken to the jail by the KCSO, said Kosciusko Sheriff Kyle Dukes.
PFD Chief Gordon Baker said the single-family two-story home was owned by Stephanie Wilcox. Baker said it was an older home that had been remodeled and presented some challenges to the firefighters as it had a lot of hidden voids. Firefighters were on scene about four hours.
The release states Skeens lived there and was the only one home at the time of the fire.
No one was injured as a result of the fire, Baker said.
Estimated damage to the home and contents is over $160,000, he said.
The fire remains under investigation by the PPD, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Pierceton/Washington Township Fire Department and fire investigators from Kosciusko County Squad 70.
Assisting the Pierceton Fire Department at the scene were the North Webster, Winona Lake and Sidney fire departments; American Red Cross for the homeowner, and also provided a canteen for the firefighters; PPD, KCSO; and Lutheran EMS. Baker said over 40 men assisted at the scene.
Assisting the PPD were the KCSO, Winona Lake Police Department, North Webster Police Department, Kosciusko County Central Dispatch, Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office and Kosciusko Animal Control.
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