Man charged with arson for porch fire

By Seth Burkett
sburkett@decaturdaily.com · 340-2355

LACEY'S SPRING — A man set fire to the porch of his ex-girlfriend's residence following an argument, Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett said Thursday.

Bartlett said Stanley Keith Berry, 40, started a fire on the porch of the residence at 1187 Alabama 36 East on Saturday after his ex-girlfriend forced him to leave.

"He wanted to stay there because he didn't have a place to stay, and she wouldn't let him," said Investigator Jodie King.

King said victim Elizabeth Ann Thompson found the porch burning shortly after Berry's departure. Thompson and her son put the fire out before it caused significant damage.

Authorities arrested Berry, who had an outstanding warrant for failing to serve his sentence on a DUI conviction, at his job site in Huntsville on Thursday, King said.

King said she charged Berry with first-degree arson after he gave a detailed statement about the incident.

Berry remained in Morgan County Jail late Thursday in lieu of $5,000 bond.

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