Man Charged With Setting Garage On Fire

A Crawford County man is accused of setting a building on fire that he resides in with his father. 

Jacob J. Warnhoff, of Cuba, has been charged with second-degree arson in the November 2024 fire.

According to the probable cause statement, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was notified of the fire at 10:02 a.m. on Nov. 18. 

Investigators determined that the fire originated in the east end of a bedroom within the detached shop building. Fire patterns and witness statements led officials to conclude that the fire was intentionally set with an open flame as the ignition source.

Warnhoff was reportedly seen exiting the structure just minutes before smoke and flames became visible. His uncle was among the witnesses who observed him leaving the building before the fire broke out. A deputy with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department also saw smoke coming from the building when they arrived at the scene to assist the Missouri State Highway Patrol with an unrelated disturbance.

Authorities classified the fire as incendiary, citing the absence of accidental causes in the area where it started. Investigators noted that the fire was fueled by available combustible materials inside the structure.

Warnhoff was already out on bond for unrelated charges from the same day.