When crews responded at 11:58 p.m. Sunday, the house was engulfed where Johnson lived with his stepfather in the 100 block of East Pike Street in the village of Laura, according to a release issued Monday by Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak.
Neighbors reported hearing an explosion prior to the fire, the sheriff said.
A 58-year-old man, the only person inside the house, made it out but was suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, Duchak said.
Crews from the Laura, West Milton, Pleasant Hill, Ludlow Falls, Pitsburg, Arcanum and Gettysburg fire departments responded to the fire, along with the Union Twp. life squad and sheriff’s office.
Miami County Sheriff’s detectives and State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to assist with processing the scene.
Johnson was quickly identified as a suspect, and Fairborn police found Johnson shortly before 4 a.m. in his vehicle, Duchak said.
No attorney is listed for Johnson, who is held in the Greene County Jail.
Duchak said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are likely to be filed against Johnson.
Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact detective Steve Hickey at hickey.stephen@miamicountyso.com or 937-440-6085, ext. 3987. Anonymous tips can also be left at www.miamicountyohio.gov/sheriff.
About the Author
