(Bedford) A woman suffered serious injuries in a house fire in Bedford on Sunday, and a man is in custody facing arson charges.
According to the press release, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a house fire at 1871 Orange Avenue, Bedford. The female occupant had exited the home and was treated by Taylor County EMS before being airlifted to a burn center for treatment of serious injuries.
Sheriff’s Deputies began an investigation into the origin of the fire, which led to the belief that it was arson. Ellis Houk, 68, of Kellerton, Iowa, was charged with First Degree Arson. Houk was located and is being held in Texas, awaiting extradition to Taylor County on a no-bond warrant.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Sharpsburg, Lenox, Gravity, Bedford, and New Market Fire Departments, the Taylor County EMS (Bedford and Lenox, Air Evac), and the Adams and Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
Additional charges are pending the result of the investigation.
*All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
