Local Man Faces Charges After Fire In Abandoned Residence

According to a report from Johnson City Fire Marshal Bob Blakeslee, around 6:55 a.m. on March 18,  the Johnson City Fire Department responded to 39 Pleasant Avenue for a report of smoke coming from the roof of the three-story, multi-family residence.

Although the building should have been vacant, Johnson City firefighters initiated an interior search to ensure no one was inside.

Firefighters located an active fire in a second-floor apartment, quickly bringing it under control. Crews then searched for indications of any hidden fire throughout the building.

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The Johnson City Fire Marshal’s Office and Johnson City Police Department determined the fire to be accidental in nature, attributed to a person who had been in the building, using candles in a second-floor bathroom in an attempt to stay warm.

Meanwhile, according to a report from the Johnson City Police Department, an officer observed a male walking from the area of the scene. That person, identified as 67-year-old Lee Parker, returned to the area shortly thereafter.

The JCPD officer approached Parker to talk to him, and during the conversation, he noticed a pistol in Parker's coat pocket.  The officer secured a loaded 9mm ghost gun from Parker.

He was detained and transported to Johnson City Police headquarters. After interviewing Parker, he admitted that he had been squatting at the vacant residence and accidentally started the fire.

Parker began exhibiting signs of smoke inhalation and was transported to Wilson Hospital for treatment.  He was remanded in custody to be arraigned on  3 counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree,  a class C Felony, and arson in the fourth degree, a class E Felony.

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