Columbus landlord sets same home on fire twice in 4 days over rental dispute, police say
COLUMBUS (WCMH) – A man has been arrested after police accused him of setting fire to his own south Columbus residence – twice.
On Monday morning, crews from the Columbus Division of Fire responded to the 600 block of Lock Avenue, near State Route 104 and Groveport Avenue. Firefighters on the scene extinguished the fire and requested an investigation. They also observed a man passing through the home’s driveway at around 9:40 a.m.
During a police examination, the man matching the firefighter’s description returned to the scene and agreed to an interview. The man, Kenneth Hendricks, reported that he had squatters in the house he had been trying to evict.
Hendricks told police that there had been ongoing conflicts with the alleged squatters and that he believed they killed his dog the night prior. Police said Hendricks broke down in tears and said, “I set the fire,” and explained that the blaze began in the living room, then spread to the front porch.
Police said Hendricks opened all of the doors to let any pets or people escape. No one was home or injured during the fire.
A Franklin County Municipal judge released Hendricks on his own recognizance and set a hearing date for March 19 on a charge of aggravated arson.
Two days later, however, CFD and CPD were called to the Lock Avenue home again, responding to another structure fire at 4 a.m. When they arrived, authorities observed fire spreading from debris piled up next to the house and into the eaves of the roof.
Hendricks was again identified at the scene and was observed feeding the flames with debris. Police observed charred lumber and furniture along the side of the house.
During an interview, Hendricks again admitted to setting the fire and reportedly said he had hoped to burn down the entire home, which is owned by a bank and used as a rental property by Hendricks.
On Friday, Hendricks, charged with a second count of aggravated arson, was issued a $700,000 bond and ordered to stay away from the Lock Ave. property. A new preliminary hearing date was set for March 15.