November 23, 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
A Cordell man has been charged with arson after allegedly setting a house on fire in Clinton.
According to a probable cause affidavit 28-year-old Blake Langston Yates was arrested on November 14 after police were dispatched to a home at 18 Lombardy Place in reference to a fight in progress.
When police arrived they met with the homeowner who stated that he lived with the suspect, Yates, who is his brother-in-law. The homeowner would tell police that Yates was in the home after locking himself inside.
The court document stated that while police were on the scene, they heard fire alarms coming from inside the residence and observed smoke coming from the front bedroom window.
Police would also see flames inside the bedroom.
Police would have to force their way into the home where they would find Yates in a hallway. After escorting the suspect out of the home he was detained and secured into the back of a patrol car.
There were no other occupants at the time of the fire.
The Clinton Fire Department arrived shortly after and were able to contain and put out the blaze before it damaged the second, attached duplex unit.
The affidavit would state the fire officials said the fire was extremely suspicious, but was unable to determine what started the blaze.
It was, however, determined the fire started at the foot of the bed inside the bedroom.
Yates was placed under arrest and booked into the Clinton Police Department. He received one felony charge of 2nd degree arson.
If convicted, Yates could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $20,000.
Yates next court date is scheduled for December 17.
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