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SILVER LAKE - A 19-year-old Claypool man was charged this morning with arson and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on a $10,000 surety bond.
According to Detective Sgt. Todd Sautter, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Aaron Marshall was charged with arson, a Class B felony, a little after 6 a.m. today.
Marshall allegedly poured gasoline outside a mobile home at Walsh Trailer Park, where a family was sleeping when the fire began. No injuries were reported.
Matt J. Tersigni, of 10402 Ind. 15S #21, Silver Lake, told the KCSD that he was awakened by the flickering flames and when he ran outside, he smelled gasoline.
A neighbor told police he saw a man pouring liquid all around the Tersigni trailer, onto the deck and on the door. The suspect, Marshall, then allegedly used a lighter to ignite the liquid. A witness told officers he made eye contact with Marshall, then yelled at him before the suspect put the flame to the gasoline. Marshall then reportedly ran between trailers and drove off.
Tersigni and the witness extinguished most of the fire with a garden hose before Silver Lake Fire Department crews arrived at the scene.
Sautter said Marshall admitted to the arson as retaliation for a prior incident.
Damage to the residence is estimated at less than $2,500.
