Monroe County man charged with arson after house fire

MONROE COUNTY, Ky. – A Monroe County man is charged with arson following a house fire on Monday.

According to a uniform citation, on Monday afternoon, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on 45 R Dyer Road in Gamaliel.

Authorities say they located heavy smoke coming from a doorway connected to the kitchen. A deputy on scene stated they searched the home, having to enter four times due to the amount of smoke.

Deputies say a firefighter on scene stated they had seen someone run around the back of the home.

Authorities say they located 41-year-old Royce Crowe of Gamaliel hiding nearby. Crowe was placed under arrest.

Deputies say Crowe stated he had poured a gas jug on the kitchen floor before lighting it.

According to deputies, the house sustained heavy smoke damage, along with serious damage to the kitchen floor.

Crowe remains at the Barren County Detention Center on charges of second-degree arson and first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer.