SECTION, Alabama — UPDATE:
Jackson County Sheriff's Office: "Timothy Cooper was arrested for arson and murder last night. This was in connection to the July 4 fire in Section. He was released from hospital yesterday and and we obtained warrants This was a joint investigation with the State Fire Marshall's Office.”
Cooper is charged with Arson-1st Degree and Homicide-Murder. He's being held on a $225,000 bond.
Cooper has been identified by law enforcement as the individua who left the scene but re-entered the apartment, which was fully engulfed in flames, and remained there for approximately an hour, according to JCSO. Officials say he was found under a pile of wet clothing. The man had to be forcibly removed from the unit. He had minor burns and was airlifted to UAB
ORIGINAL STORY:
Jackson County Sheriff's officials say an apartment fire that killed one woman and injured a man on Independence Day, has been ruled as an 'arson'.
Chief Deputy Rocky Hernan says at this time investigators are not naming any suspects but they do have one.
Authorities say the woman killed in the fire is identified as Sharon Kay Tarver, 80, of Section.
Officials say the fatal fire happened early morning on Sunday at 4:43 a.m.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) said it took several hours, until around 10 a.m., to put out the fire. The fire involved three connected housing apartments units.
The man who called 911 was removed without any injuries. One woman was found by a volunteer fire department and was removed. She later died after being taken to a nearby hospital.
The man of the third apartment initially left the scene but re-entered the apartment, which was fully engulfed in flames, and remained there for approximately an hour, according to JCSO. Officials say he was found under a pile of wet clothing. The man had to be forcibly removed from the unit. He had minor burns and was airlifted to UAB where he is said to be in stable condition.
The Alabama Fire Marshall's Office is investigating and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office will assist in the investigation into the cause of the fire.
JCSO, along with several fire departments, including the Section Volunteer Fire Department, Macedonia Volunteer Fire Department, Dutton Volunteer Fire Department, and Highlands Ambulance Service were all on the scene.
This is all the available information at this time. The WZDX News team will update this story as more information becomes available.