DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man is facing an arson charge following a house fire near Drake University on Tuesday night, according to police.
36-year-old Otis Richardson allegedly broke a no-contact order on Dec. 12 and intentionally set a Forest Avenue residence on fire, trapping his 85-year-old grandmother and a 53-year-old man inside the house.
Firefighters rescued both occupants from the house late on Tuesday night. The male has since left the hospital, while the 85-year-old woman remains in critical condition.
Richardson is charged with:
- Arson in the First Degree
- Possession Of Incendiary Or Explosive Device
- Violation Of A No Contact Order
On the night of the fire, surrounding roads were closed for hours as police and arson investigators responded.
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