The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Deputies have arrested three men for the Jan. 3 arson fire at a vacant farmhouse near Townsend.
Joseph Shemanski, 19, and Brandon Webb, 18, both of Middletown, and Joseph Brister, 20, of Townsend, were charged with starting the fire in the 200 block of Grears Corner Road, west of Townsend, shortly before 5:30 a.m. Jan. 3.
Fire Marshal Alan Brown stated in a press release that the Middletown Fire Company responded to the 200 block of Grears Corner Road, Townsend, shortly before 5:30 a.m. Upon their arrival, they observed smoke and heavy fire.
Firefighters brought the fire under control within 90 minutes. Several neighboring Delaware and Maryland fire companies also responded and assisted fighting the blaze.
There were no injuries.
A State Fire Marshal Deputies investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set.
Damage is estimated at $10,000.
Shemanski, Webb, and Brister were charged with arson second degree, conspiracy second, and criminal mischief.
They were arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $10,000 unsecured bond pending a hearing in Court of Common Pleas.
