(11-14-22) The Van Wert Fire Department was sent to the Comfort Inn at 4:59 am for a shed on the back of its lot which was on fire. Upon arrival the shed was fully involved. The fire was contained to the out building which was a total loss.

Assisting at the scene was the Van Wert City Police Department, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department along with the Ohio State Patrol assisting in traffic control.

The fire department was on the scene for about two hours.

Photo courtesy Bob Barnes Photography

According to the Times-Bulletin….Van Wert Police Chief Douglas Weigle, Christopher Aarron Tinsley Jr. (26) of Van Wert was seen by witnesses starting a fire in the lobby of the Comfort Inn that morning at 3 a.m. Tinsley started a decorative bale of straw on fire. This was put out by an employee who then confronted Tinsley.

While officers were investigating the lobby fire, they noticed the Comfort Inn’s shed to be on fire. Tinsley was arrested and charged with felony 1 aggravated arson and is being housed in the Van Wert County Jail. The Van Wert Sheriff’s Office also assisted the Van Wert PD.