![Man Confesses to Starting Fire on Villa Drive](https://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2022/10/attachment-115Villa.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Man Confesses to Starting Fire on Villa Drive
On Saturday at approximately 9:40 a.m., Pettis County Deputies were dispatched to a residential structure fire which was later determined to be Apartment 115, Villa Drive.
Sgt. DeHaven arrived first, with Deputy Cunningham arriving shortly thereafter, and they found heavy smoke rolling from the apartment.
Neighboring apartments were already evacuating/being evacuated.
Witnesses stated the occupant of 115 was last seen running towards the back of the residence.
Pettis County Fire arrived on scene and extinguished the fire, later finding evidence of arson. Assistance was then requested of the State Fire Marshal for an investigation.
A witness later found the suspect hiding in a barn south of the fire location. He admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for 1st-degree arson.
Arrested was 69-year-old John Nevels. He was placed on a 24-hour hold, pending the filing of formal charges from Pettis County Prosecutor Phillip Sawyer.
More From AM 1050 KSIS
![Pettis County Fire Battles Structure Fire; No Injuries Reported](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2024/06/attachment-Fire-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![House Fire at 1820 Warren Determined To Be Arson](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2023/09/attachment-1820Warren.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sedalia Woman Accused of Arson, Property Damage](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2023/07/attachment-Hoskins-S.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![House Fire at 521 South Lafayette Determined To Be Incendiary In Nature](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2023/06/attachment-SFD.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Structure Fire at Heard & Tower Destroys Outbuildings, Damages House](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2023/05/attachment-Fire-22.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Guilty Plea On Hate, Arson Charges In Islamic Center Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2022/12/attachment-Proffit1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Multiple Agencies Combine Forces to Battle Pettis County Grass Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2022/10/attachment-Anders.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pettis County Fire Imposes Burn Ban](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2022/07/attachment-PCF-6.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![First Responders in Pettis County Honored by Noonday Optimist Club](http://townsquare.media/site/468/files/2022/05/attachment-RespectGroup1.jpg?w=980&q=75)