CANTON, MO. -- The Canton Press-News Journal reports that the owner and a manager of the Canton Motel have been arrested for a fire that occurred in November.
29-year-old Abel Rosales, motel manager, and 39-year-old Brian Waschenbach, motel owner, have both been charged with a Class C felony of Second Degree Arson.
Rosales, of Canton, was arrested and Waschenbach, of Kahoka, turned himself in to authorities at the Lewis County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, Dec. 8.
According to the Press-News Journal, Waschenbach is alleged to have offered Rosales payment for setting the fire for financial gain. A preliminary hearing for Rosales was Monday and a trial setting was scheduled for Dec. 19 for Waschenbach.
The Missouri Division of Fire Safety and the Canton Police investigated the fire.
Fire Chief Jeff McReynolds told KHQA that the building was unoccupied and utilities had been cut off for about four months at the time of the fire.
About 30 firefighters from four departments battled the blaze which started at around 11:20 p.m. on November 6.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA