MASON CITY – Thursday morning at about 10:08 AM, Mason City police and firefighters responded to a field fire in the area of the 2300 block of South Monroe Avenue.
The fire quickly spread to the west and north towards Pierce Avenue.
As the Fire Department battled that blaze, more fires broke out behind them. It was then reported that that there was a field fire in the 350 block of South Pierce Avenue separate from the first fire.
According to the Police Department press release, there was no field work being done at either field and it was apparent that the fires were intentionally set.
As the fire at 3500 South Pierce was being worked, 3 subjects were observed running into the same cornfield where the fire was, but to the south of the fire. After a lengthy search, 3 juveniles were apprehended in the cornfield.
Skyler Moorehead, Tyra Wilson and Chris Olman, all 12 years of age and from Mason city were caught, arrested, and charged with the following crimes:
– 1 count first degree arson
– 1 count 2nd degree arson
– 2 counts of 1st degree criminal mischief
– 1 count of 3rd degree criminal mischief
– i count of interference with official acts
Approximately 40 acres of corn was damaged in the fires, and a fire truck belonging to the Mason City Fire Department sustained damage. Several farmers assisted by plowing up ground for fire breaks.
The following departments also assisted: Rockwell Fire Department; Manly Fire Department; Clear Lake Fire Department; Swaledale Fire Department; Plymouth Fire Department; Cartersville Elevator; Iowa State Patrol; Iowa Department of Transportation and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department. Employees of Golden Grain Ethanol also assisted.
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