A Nicholasville man was arrested in connection with an early-morning fire at an apartment complex located at 306 Edgewood Drive.
Jabe Smith, 46, is charged with first-degree arson and 12 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. According to the Nicholasville Fire Department, Smith is an occupant of the apartment complex.
The fire department responded to the fire around 2:34 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Once on the scene, they discovered a small fire inside Smith's apartment with him still inside and refusing to leave.
Fire Chief Charles Brumfield said once Smith was removed from the structure, the fire department quickly extinguished the fire.
The apartment suffered minor fire, smoke and water damage, and no other apartments were affected.
According to a police department media release, Smith had told residents of the complex "he was going to burn down the building and kill everyone in it." The release also says Smith had reportedly been drinking alcoholic beverages prior to setting the fire.
