Man allegedly sets hotel bed on fire, walks away from scene

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green man allegedly set fire to a bed at a hotel on Tuesday.

The Bowling Green Police Department says it responded to a call at America’s Best Value Inn on Scottsville to assist the Bowling Green Fire Department in an investigation.

A bed in a room was set on fire.

The suspect was approached by a Bowling Green firefighter but walked away.

A Bowling Green police officer located the suspect walking by Arby’s on Scottsville Road. Police say the suspect identified himself as Jesse Lowery, 31 of Bowling Green.

Lowery stated he was staying in the room but did not know what happened when the bed caught on fire.

The Bowling Green Fire Department says Lowery stated he was in the bathroom when the fire started. Lowery then changed his statement and said he was smoking a cigarette on the bed when the fire started. A Bowling Green Fire Department investigator says Lowery changed his statement again and said he lit the bed on fire with a lighter.

Witnesses say they saw smoke coming out of the room at the scene. One of the witnesses said they entered the room, grabbed the mattress, and threw it outside. The walls and ceiling of the room have significant damage.

Police say Lowery was taken into custody and again stated he lit the bed on fire with a lighter.

Lowery is charged with arson, 1st degree, and criminal mischief, 1st degree.

The investigation is ongoing.