The Carroll Police Department reports a Carroll man believed to be responsible for a suspicious residential fire near the end of August was taken into custody over the weekend. According to Carroll County District Court records, 54-year-old Kelly Dean Warnke is charged with first-degree arson, a class B felony. First-responders were dispatched to 1116 N. Clark Street around 9 p.m. on Aug. 26 in response to reports of an explosion at the home owned by Melvin J. and Joy C. Booth. An investigation by the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office determined an accelerant had been used to start the fire. Authorities allege Warnke had poured gasoline in several locations in an attached garage with the intent to burn down the house. While no injuries were reported as a result of the blaze, two adults and two children did reside in the home at the time of the attempted arson, resulting in the enhanced charge. Warnke was released on his own recognizance Sunday after appearing before a magistrate. His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5. Warnke faces up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of the charge.
