HARTFORD, IOWA – An Iowa man has been arrested on an arson charge after a fire he allegedly set caused a house to burn with a person inside.
On January 20, 2017 at approximately 4:12 AM, a fire reported at 140 West Paint, Hartford, Warren County, Iowa. Fire personnel were dispatched to this address and found the house engulfed by flames. A body was found in the residence. The body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny for an autopsy and positive identification.
As a result of an investigation, 28-year-old Stephen James Major, was found in Marshalltown, Iowa. Major was arrested in connection with this incident.
Major was charged with the offenses of Arson in the First Degree and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent.
An investigation is ongoing regarding the cause of death of the body found inside the residence. The investigation is being conducted with the cooperation of the Hartford Fire Department, Carlisle Fire Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.