East Ridge man charged in apartment fire

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Arson tile
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

Thomas Shirley, 21, of East Ridge, has been charged with aggravated arson, attempted murder and reckless endangerment in connection with an apartment fire early Tuesday.

East Ridge firefighters responded to a call at Spring Creek Garden Apartments at 950 Spring Creek Road at 1:24 a.m.

First units on the scene reported a fire in apartment 122 and heavy smoke on the first and second floors.

Firefighters rescued people on the second floor and were able to contain the fire to apartment 122. No injuries were reported.

Shirley also was charged in connection with an auto theft that also occurred Tuesday at the same apartments. Shirley later was caught when he crashed the vehicle into a building at the intersection of Shallowford and Standifer Gap roads.

He is being held in Hamilton County Jail.