Fairplay man sought in fire investigation

June 29, 2003|y JULIE E. GREENE

FAIRPLAY - A warrant was issued Saturday night for the arrest of a Fairplay man in connection with an arson that destroyed his and his wife's mobile home, Deputy State Fire Marshal W. Faron Taylor said.

The warrant for first-degree arson was issued for Eddie Preston Holmes, Taylor said.

Taylor said the motive appeared to be a domestic dispute.

Holmes' wife, Shelly Ann Holmes, 46, was treated at Washington County Hospital for smoke inhalation after the Friday night fire and later released, Taylor said.

Shelly Holmes was sleeping at her 7825A Sharpsburg Pike mobile home around 10:23 p.m. Friday when she was awakened by someone kicking at the back door, Taylor said.

When she got outside, someone set the mobile home on fire in a hallway near the master bedroom, Taylor said.

Taylor would not say how the fire was started.

Shelly Holmes went to a neighbor's home before going back inside her mobile home in an unsuccessful attempt to save a pet cat, snake and tarantula, Taylor said.

The suspect had fled, Taylor said.

The home was destroyed, with a preliminary damage estimate of $25,000, Taylor said.

Shelly Holmes stayed with friends or family and received assistance from the American Red Cross, said Bob McEnroe, disaster action team chairman.

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