ST. LOUIS- A Florissant man is facing arson charges to in connection to an mid-August fire.
Ryan Howerton, 41, faces one count first-degree arson for allegedly committing arson to a house in Florissant, Missouri. Howerton is currently being held on $150,000 cash only bond, with no 10%.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, a resident was at her home in the 8500 block of Katherine Avenue when she smelled something strange and heard crackling and popping on Aug. 10, at 2:45 PM.
The resident then saw smoke visible through the windows on the west side of the house. She went outside and then saw Howerton trying to set her house on fire by using a torch attached to a propane tank.
The victim grabbed some of her belongings, called 911, and then she got in her car to leave.
When officer arrived on scene, Howerton allegedly walked out from the side of another house.
The victim immediately identified him to the officer and police detained the Howerton on scene. Another witness also identified him on scene.
Police located a propane tank and torch near where Howerton was walking when the victim identified him.
The house was severely burned and has been deemed uninhabitable.