Magic Valley Man Arrested on Arson Charges

Hansen, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KSVT-TV ) - A fire at a home near the foothills outside of Hansen has led to the arrest of a man who lived nearby.

The Rock Creek Rural Fire Department was called to the scene of a fire at 25 Nelson Lane near Foothills road on March 4, 2015 around 4:30 p.m. According to court records, after the fire was extinguished, Fire Chief Jason Keller, requested the sheriff’s office respond. He made the request after a gas can spout was found on the kitchen counter.  Court records also indicate that as the fire department investigated the odor of gas was noted.

The State Fire Marshall arrived the next morning and declared the fire to be arson according. Further investigation revealed that an informant told the sheriff’s office that Jeremiah Levi Ash should be considered a suspect.

Authorities were told that the suspect’s throat was burned; hair was singed on his head and he had burns on his lower legs and feet. The informant said Jeremiah stated that “A higher power told him to do it.” Authorities were told that Jeremiah also had been carrying a 9 mm handgun, and stated that if things did not change for him soon, that the gun was “Option B” and that he would shoot himself.

Deputies said that Jeremiah was living in a trailer near the home that burned. Information filed with the court indicates that the suspect was “mentally ill” and had been on two deployments to Afghanistan with the air force as a “gunner.”  Authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of Ash.

He was located and arrested at the Veterans Hospital in Boise Thursday, March 12, 2015 around 10 a.m. The suspect has been charged with first degree arson. The dollar amount of damage to the home has not been released.