Rochester House Fire Leads to Arson Charge
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 26-year-old man is charged with arson after authorities say he intentionally set multiple fires inside a Rochester home on New Year’s Eve.
Investigators say the fires caused extensive damage to the residence.
Anukone Jordan Somphanith, of Rochester, is accused of setting fires inside a home late Dec. 31. According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police were called to the residence around 10 p.m. and arrived to find the front door fully engulfed in flames with heavy black smoke pouring from the house.
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A neighbor directed officers to the backyard, where Somphanith was identified as the sole occupant of the home.
Officers noted that Somphanith had injuries to his feet and was placed in a squad car. Police reported he had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech and visible soot on his lips, teeth and tongue. When questioned, investigators say Somphanith provided inconsistent statements about how the fire started, including claiming the fire had burned for about 20 minutes before he called 911, then stating he did not know where the fire began and later suggesting it may have started upstairs.
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Police say Somphanith told an officer he had been involved in a dispute with family members at a party and had been dropped off at the home shortly before the fire. He said he was in a downstairs room when he smelled something burning and then saw the living room on fire. Investigators noted that despite repeated questioning, Somphanith never identified what specifically was burning and at one point said he was intoxicated from the earlier gathering.
An inspection of the home by the Rochester Fire Department and Assistant Fire Marshal Jason Fife revealed suspicious burn patterns in an upstairs bedroom. Investigators determined there were two separate fires in that bedroom and noted the door to the room was closed when firefighters searched the house. Authorities say a separate fire was also located at the home’s entryway, which would not have spread to the bedroom with the door closed. A burned gas can was found inside the living room.
Somphanith is charged with first-degree arson involving a dwelling, a felony offense. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Court records show he remains in custody under an order of detention pending further proceedings.
