A wood-burning stove left unattended is thought to be at the root of a fire that heavily damaged a Winfield home and landed its owner in jail briefly Saturday evening, according to fire officials.
Around 6 p.m., fire crews were called to 421 Broad St. where they found the burning and smoke-filled home of Troy and Anita Hadley. It appears the homeowners left a fire burning in a wood stove so the home would be warm upon return.
“People do that, it’s not uncommon, but I wouldn’t say it’s a safe practice,” fire marshal Alan Stoll said. “You never know when it might get out of hand while you’re not there.”
The fire was deemed under control around 7:30 p.m.
A significant portion of the home suffered extensive smoke, water and fire damage, Stoll said.
Fire and police officials confirm that Troy Hadley was arrested at the scene after a Taser was used to provide an electric shock and subdue him. The homeowner was attempting to go into the home and resisted firefighters’ efforts to keep him from doing so.
Stoll said there was a pet inside the home that Hadley was hoping to rescue.
“He was held back for his own safety, it’s a toxic and unsafe environment inside a burning home and the safety risk is too much for us to let someone inside,” Stoll said. “Emotions were running high and I’m sure he feels bad about everything. He did return to the scene a little while later.”
Once firefighters have charge of a scene, Stoll said, they can’t let others inside, for safety reasons, until it is considered safe to do so.
Hadley was arrested on charges of interference with a firefighter and disorderly conduct, according to a police report. He was able to make bond.
Fire crews from Winfield, Ark City, Burden and Udall were at the scene of the blaze.
