St. Charles man accused of trying to torch family member’s home

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – A St. Charles County Circuit Court judge signed an arrest warrant Tuesday for a man accused of trying to set a relative’s home ablaze.

According to the St. Charles Police Department’s probable cause statement, the incident happened on March 11 in the 900 block of Washington Street.

The victim called the St. Charles Fire Department to report an odor of gasoline. Police claim the victim’s relative, Mitchel E. Vardeman II, was inside the home with a gas can and threatened to torch the home.

When police arrived, the victim told officers Vardeman was upset with them because they were attempting to evict Vardeman from the residence.

Police went into the home to retrieve some of the victims’ belongings and speak with Vardeman. Moments later, the victim yelled out to officers that the home was on fire.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

Police went into the basement and discovered Vardeman’s bed was engulfed in flames. As officers exited the home through the rear basement door, they saw Vardeman leaving through another basement door.

Vardeman was then taken into custody and the fire eventually put out. The St. Charles Fire Department reported extensive damage to the entire basement.

Meanwhile, police allege Vardeman had two disposable lighters in his pants pockets. Vardeman claimed he brought the gas can into his bedroom and accidentally spilled some on his mattress. He said he was smoking in his room and then dropped the cigarette on the bed, which started the fire.

Police claim Vardeman admitted to threatening to burn the family member’s home down due to an ongoing dispute.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Vardeman with one count of second-degree arson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.