On Saturday, December 15th, 2012, at 1:05 p.m., Dubuque Fire and Police personnel responded to Sears in Kennedy Mall (555 JFK Road) for a fire alarm. Upon arrival, evacuation was in progress and heavy smoke was present on the second floor.
On Saturday, December 15th, 2012, at 1:05 p.m., Dubuque Fire and Police personnel responded to Sears in Kennedy Mall (555 JFK Road) for a fire alarm. Upon arrival, evacuation was in progress and heavy smoke was present on the second floor. The origin of the smoke was traced to the men’s restroom where a fire had been intentionally set. The fire was immediately extinguished, but the resulting damage - primarily caused by smoke - could exceed $100,000. No injuries were reported.
As a result of the subsequent investigation, Dubuque Police have charged juvenile Mitchel A. McArthur, 13, of Dubuque, with Arson 1st Degree and Reckless Use of Fire. The Arson charge pertains to the fire on December 15th, while the Reckless Use of Fire charge pertains to a separate incident uncovered during the Arson investigation. On December 14th, 2012, McArthur is alleged to have started another fire in a different restroom inside Kennedy Mall. That fire is believed to have self-extinguished without causing damage.
McArthur was ordered to Juvenile Detention and remains in custody. Arson 1st Degree is a Class B Felony punishable by up to 25 years confinement. Reckless Use of Fire is a Serious Misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $315 and $1,875, and up to one year confinement.
As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspect(s) charged are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.