An Amboy mother and son are accused of setting their home ablaze — multiple times.
Valerie K. Gardner, 65, and Adam N. Gardner, 23, made first appearances Monday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree arson. Judge Bernard Veljacic set Valerie Gardner’s bail at $10,000, which she posted. Adam Gardner was granted supervised release, according to court records. Their arraignments are scheduled for Oct. 22.
On Saturday, emergency crews responded to a residential fire at 22305 N.E. Cedar Creek Road. The property was the subject of a Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office investigation after an Aug. 1 fire in a bathroom, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
The fire marshal’s report from that blaze concluded an outlet that was reported as the ignition source had no damage on the inside and tested positive for ignitable fluid. The blaze appeared to be intentionally started by a torch, the affidavit said.
Neighbors Sam and Wesley Brock reported hearing from Adam Gardner that, “I stuck a propane torch in there and it went all the way up.” When asked why he would do that, he said, “My mom told me to,” according to the affidavit.
The Brocks reported Saturday’s fire after noticing smoke from the eaves and roof of the home, according to the affidavit. As he called 911, Wesley Brock sprinted toward the home with a fire extinguisher.
“He said when he entered the house, he could clearly see the fire coming from a hole in the ceiling from the prior fires,” the affidavit reads.
Wesley Brock reported that, as he attempted to extinguish the blaze, the Gardners were running back and forth carrying items from the house to a U-Haul truck parked in the driveway, according to the affidavit.
The Gardners told investigators who arrived on scene that they did not know what happened. They also said they didn’t smell smoke or see a fire before their neighbor ran over with the fire extinguisher, the affidavit said.
Though power to the house was supposed to be turned off, investigators found the main breaker on and the circuits off, according to the affidavit. The recent fire started above a ceiling previously opened by firefighters, the affidavit said.
The fire marshal’s office again concluded that a torch or lighter must have been used to start the blaze.
The Gardners are listed in court records as residents of the address, but they are not the owners, according to Clark County property records. A single-story, ranch-style house, mobile home and general purpose building are listed on the property.
