Arson suspected in Patriot Internet fire: Three Theodosia fires in two days results in a lost home, lost hay and a suspect arrested


Gainesville firefighters Lisa Hoffaman, left, Kevin Piland, in back, and John Russo work a fire at the Patriot Internet building, located in the strip mall next to Bullseye in Theodosia.

Photo courtesy of Theodosia VFD Marlin and Roxann Wallace lost their hay barn and 450 bales of hay in a Dec. 22 fire.

Area volunteer fire departments have been busy with a number of structure fires in the area. Three fires in a two-day span in the Theodosia area had volunteers especially weary. 

A Dec. 21 structure fire at a residence on Homestead Drive in the area behind Cash Saver Pantry in Theodosia resulted in a complete loss of a double wide mobile home (see “Monday fire destroys structure and truck in Theodosia,” Dec. 22, 2020 edition of the Times). 

The next day, volunteers were back out helping with two additional fires. 

The first fire was called in to the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department at 2:27 p.m., reporting a hay barn fire in the area of Mae Lane and Wallace Ranch Road in Theodosia. The barn, belonging to Marlin and Roxann Wallace, housed 450 round bales of hay. The barn and the hay was a complete loss.

According to the TAVFD, the fire was started as the result of welding sparks. The fire continued to burn for several days. 

The second call came in at 3:21 p.m., reporting a fire at Patriot Internet, a business located in the strip mall next to Bullseye on Highway 160 in Theodosia. 

Because Theodosia Area VFD was already responding and actively fighting the hay fire on Wallace Ranch Road, Pontiac and Gainesville VFDs were dispatched to Patriot Internet.  

That fire reportedly produced heavy toxic smoke, and SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatuses) had to be used by firefighters entering the building. 

The Ozark County Ambulance also responded to the Patriot Internet building in case there were any injuries. However, it was soon apparent that there was minimal damage to the building and no injuries, according to the TAVFD. 

The State Fire Marshal’s office was dispatched to investigate the fire, and ruled that the fire was classified as “incendiary - arson.” 

Ozark County Sheriff Elect Cass Martin confirmed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the Patriot Internet fire, and charges are expected to be filed soon. No other details about the fire, including the suspect’s name, have been released. The Times will provide information on the case when and if it is filed in Ozark County Court. 

“We are extremely grateful to our fellow departments for their assistance today and yesterday,” TAVFD spokesperson posted to Facebook following the two Dec. 22 fires and the Dec. 21 fire. “We have a shortage of volunteers due to holiday travel and a few on medical leave, which puts a huge strain on our already sparse roster. Thank you to our hard working volunteers for coming out to help. It really is great to work with such dedicated people.”

Ozark County Times

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Gainesville, MO 65655

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