Bayird Tire Arson Fire Suspect Dies from Severe Burns – UPDATE
January 11th, 2023 by Joe Burgess
The 60-year-old man, who is suspected in the arson of the business, has passed away from burns and injuries, sustained in the fire.
According to police reports, Stephen Vincent Moore, of Monticello, is listed as the lone suspect in the case.
On December 26, at approximately 6 PM, Monticello Police officers were dispatched to a fire at the store, located at the intersection of Highway 278/35.
Upon their arrival, the store was rolling in flames. Records show 3 minutes later, an officer found Moore bleeding from his hands and elbows, covered from head to waist in first-degree burns. The officer paged an ambulance and attempted to keep him still, when Moore said that he, “saw the smoke and was going to attempt to put the fire out, but when I grabbed the door, my gloves and shirt caught on fire.”
A trail of blood led from the fire, down a path through the parking lot, to where Moore was located.
Moore’s truck was parked at the back of the church, somewhat hidden and backed into its location, with a depressed gas can in the back of the truck.
A cell phone, Moore’s wallet, burned clothing, and 2 long guns were collected ad evidence. The stolen guns were charred to the point of not being able to gather serial numbers.
The Monticello Fire Department extinguish the fire, and MASI transported the burned man to the Pafford helicopter at the airport. He was airlifted to Little Rock, where he died from the wounds he received during the fire.
According to Monticello Police Chief Jason Akers, the Monticello Fire Department was dispatched to a local tire business Monday night after reports of the fire were received.
Once on scene, first responders located a male parked in the vicinity of the tire shop with severe burn wounds. A gas can was located in the back of the vehicle of the burn victim. A firearm normally kept inside the business was located outside the business on the ground.
The burn victim was transported to Little Rock with severe burns for more advanced medical care and is a person of interest in the investigation.
He was transported by MASI to the Monticello Airport, where he was then airlifted to UAMS, by Pafford Air Ambulance.
At 6:05, Monday evening, a call came into Monticello, dispatch reporting that Bayird Tires, located on Highway 278 at the Highway 35 intersection, was on fire
The Monticello, Fire Dept.,, Monticello, Police, and Drew County Deputies responded, along with Drew County OEM and MASI.
The cause of the fire has not been commented on, at this point.
Top photo courtesy of firefighters.
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