Arson suspected at Logan County attraction

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky.- On Sunday night just after 10:00 p.m, a passer-by called 9-1-1 to report flames coming from the Camp Climb Adventure Lagoon attraction in Russellville.

When fire crews arrived, they found three separate structures fully engulfed.

“So, they come in and burnt down my cabin, they burned my office building, and burnt my camper down, my big fifth wheel camper,” said Camp Climb Adventure Lagoon owner, Ben Lamb.

Lamb says the buildings are a total loss.

“They burnt about a $100,000 worth of stuff down and because of it being winter, we let our insurance go back to being minimum and we didn’t have the coverage on the cabin and stuff like that. So, it’s a 100% loss,” said, Lamb.

He said the fire has not only affected him financially but also emotionally.

“Depressed would be the best word for it. I spent months building that cabin myself. Me and my dad built it. So, a lot of the lumber I cut myself. Its very disheartening. It’s like someone burning my home down that I had built personally,” said Lamb.

Lamb says he posted on Facebook just a few days ago about plans to re-open in April, but now he says he would rather just sell the property.

“We are ready to just sell the place and get out. We have put everything we can into this place trying to make it work and it seems that so many people want it gone. Without me being rich to be able to fight them with it, I can’t afford to keep it,” said Lamb.

When fire crews arrived, they suspected it was done on purpose.

“With three structures, total separate structures being on fire simultaneously, we suspected arson right off the bat. The Fire Marshal has ruled it as an arson fire. They have got a list of suspects who they are going to start interviewing and talking with,” said Russellville Rural Fire Chief, Cheryl Allen.

The fire investigation is still ongoing.

Lamb is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who knows who started the fire.