150-year-old house burns in MS; teen charged with arson

BATESVILLE, Miss. — A 150-year-old Mississippi home went up in flames, and a teenager has been charged with first-degree arson for allegedly starting the fire.

The 14-year-old male is also suspected of starting other suspicious fires in Batesville, but was never charged until now.

Andy Young lives next door to the house that burned on Panola Street, and took video Sunday as the house went up in flames. Young’s house, about 30 paces from the fire, suffered some exterior damage from the extreme heat.

“There was no way they were going to save the house. It was a complete fireball. Extremely hot,” Young said.

Batesville Police announced they have charged a 14-year-male with starting this fire, and he has a history with police.

“We were able to develop a suspect using a variety if different resources to include cameras located on city buildings as well as throughout the town of Batesville,” said Lt. Adam Smithey, detective with the Batesville Police Department.

According to police the suspect was seen just prior to and after the fire, and there was evidence consistent with arson.

“We have a relationship with him at the Police Department. We have had interactions with him in the past,” Smithey said. “There is a history of setting fires to structures and other things.”

Smithey would not go into detail but confirmed the teen had not been charged previously because of his age.

According to The Panolian newspaper, a judge ordered the teen held and he was taken to a juvenile facility. The newspaper said police will work with the courts to have the suspect certitified as an adult because of his history.

“It’s sad the kid had no guidance and unfortunately was in trouble before and still running around doing these types of things,” Young said.

The case highlights the problem of growing juvenile crime facing and Batesville.

“There needs to be a bigger focus on having the resources to take care of juvenile delinquents, whether that be juvenile detention facilities or other means to get juveniles properly rehabilitated,” Smithey said.

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