Executive Summary
- Benjamin Barnes has been arrested in connection with an October 2024 apartment fire in Evansville, Indiana.
- The fire at Ingle Terrace Apartments resulted in injuries to four people living in a second-floor unit.
- Investigators cite surveillance video placing Barnes at the scene, though he denies the charges.
Authorities in Evansville, Indiana, have arrested a suspect following a comprehensive year-long investigation into an apartment complex fire that resulted in injuries to four residents. According to law enforcement officials, Benjamin Barnes was taken into custody in connection with the blaze that occurred in October 2024 at the Ingle Terrace Apartments.
Fire crews responding to the incident at the time reported that the fire originated in a second-floor unit, causing injuries to four occupants. Over the course of the investigation, detectives reportedly uncovered evidence linking Barnes to the scene. Surveillance video obtained by police allegedly shows Barnes and his truck at the location on the night of the incident.
Investigative findings indicate that Barnes was present at the apartment on the evening of the fire but had departed the premises before emergency crews arrived. While Barnes has denied starting the fire, he is now facing multiple charges, including arson, and has been booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Investigative & Legal Proceedings
The arrest signifies a critical transition in this case from a complex forensic inquiry to criminal prosecution. Arson investigations involving multi-unit dwellings and personal injury are prioritized due to the high risk to public safety, often requiring extensive time to correlate forensic burn patterns with suspect movements. As the case moves to the courts, the focus will shift to the strength of the circumstantial evidence placing the suspect at the scene and establishing intent. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
