OTTUMWA, Iowa — One man is dead and a woman has been arrested following an apartment fire in Ottumwa, police said in a release.
The Ottumwa Police Department was called to a structure fire with people still inside around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on 5th Street West. The Ottumwa Fire Department also responded to the call.
Police said two people were inside the apartment when the fire was found. One of those people was able to make it outside via a third story window.
The other person, 59-year-old Ernest Wilson, was not able to get out, according to police. Wilson died as a result of the fire.
Police said someone started the fire inside of the apartment building. The suspect, 31-year-old Ashley Lankford, was identified and found by police about five-and-a-half hours after the initial fire call. Lankford has been arrested and charged with:
- Murder in the First Degree
- Arson in the First Degree
- Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
- Attempt to Commit Murder
As of Tuesday morning, Lankford is held in the Wapello County Jail on a $1 million bond.
The fire is still being investigated by the Ottumwa Police and Fire Departments and the State Fire Marshall's Office.