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. Due to a fire hose having to be pulled from a fire hydrant on the west side of N. Washington St., N. Washington Street was blocked off to traffic from Bonnewitz Ave to Gleason Av. 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.

The cause of the fire was not reported. For more information call the VWFD.

Bob Barnes VWFD Photographer

11/14/2022 — UPDATE — UPDATE — UPDATE — UPDATE — 11/14/2022

From the Van Wert times Bulletin 11/14/2022

According to Van Wert Police Chief Douglas Weigle, Christopher Aarron Tinsley Jr. (age 26) 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.

Tinsley left and was located by officers. While officers were investigating the lobby fire, they noticed the Comfort Inn’s shed to be on fire. That is when Van Wert Fire Department was called. Tinsley was arrested and charged with felony 1 aggravated arson. The Van Wert Sheriff’s Office also assisted the Van Wert PD.

Tinsley fought with the officers and was taken to the Van Wert County Jail.
Further charges will be considered by the Van Wert County Prosecutor Eva Yarger.