(Primghar)– A Granville man has been charged with arson following a fire at a rental house he owns in rural O’Brien county.
Authorities say Timothy Hofmeyer was charged with third degree arson for allegedly setting fire to the house at 5258 420th Street in O’Brien county.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office says Hofmeyer called 911 shortly after 8:30 p.m. May 21st of this year requesting the fire department extinguish a fire at his rental house. The Archer and Paullina fire departments were called to the scene and extinguished the blaze a short time later.
The State Fire Marshall’s Office was called to assist in determining a cause. Upon investigating authorities determined the fire had been set and in the days that followed Hofmeyer allegedly tried to collect on an insurance policy he had on the property.
Third degree arson is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a five thousand dollar fine.
Hofmeyer will appear on the charge in O’Brien County District Court at a later date.
