| Updated: 10/03/2009 1:24 pm |
Published: 10/02/2009 1:59 pm |
Morrilton police say the Conway county man responsible for fiery destruction -- is behind bars. Steven Rogers faces arson charges -- accused of setting the old E.E. Mitchell building - in downtown Morrilton - on fire last month.
“That someone could do this with no consideration to the other businesses or people or lives that could have been taken to do this out of spite,” Morrilton resident Sandy Lovett says with shock.
Many are outraged over news that 35 year old Steven Rogers is suspected of setting historic building on fire.
Adam Powell works for the owner.
"She's upset - crying and worried," he said.
Officers say Rogers and the owner's daughter once dated and got into a fight one day before the fire, threatening to burn his ex-girlfriend's home.
Police chief Norbert Gunderman says when officers went to pick up Rogers -- he admitted his own guilt.
"He said ‘I messed up.’ He said ‘I got drunk and did something I should not have done’," Gunderman said.
Nearby businesses are also affected. This week, workers at Manna from Heaven -- a food pantry -- learned they must move out.
"We barely have money for month to month. Now we have to pay deposits to move -- electricity water and gas. We can't afford a new building,” Director Tammy Bartlett said.
"Just for vengeance, {this} makes me angry,” Lovett said.
Chief Gunderman says Rogers set an old mattress on fire in the back of the building causing massive flames that spread to all 4 floors.
The fire broke out on the night of September 15th. Officers arrested Steven Rogers Thursday. Officers say when they showed up, he knew why they were there and admitted to setting the building on fire. Rogers is in the Conway county jail on a $100,000 bond.
