Sheriff reports arson arrests

SIDNEY – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has made two arrests following an arson investigation in Anderson, Iowa, in June of 2020.

Firefighters were called to a 306th Avenue area in Anderson where there were two separate buildings on fire. Investigators say the buildings were independently set on fire and one of the buildings was occupied at the time.

The occupant was able to escape the fire without injury.

Charles Ray Welch, 56, of Anderson and Tyler Ward, 32, of Riverton are suspected of arson.

Welch and Ward were held on $55,000 bonds.

The Sheriff’s Office says it was assisted by the Iowa Fire Marshall’s Office in the investigation at the scene.