Two arrested for arson in Lincoln County

HARRISBURG, S.D. (KELO) — Two people have been arrested after being accused of trying to burn down a gas station in Harrisburg.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says a passerby called in a fire at a business at 12:50 a.m., in the 300 block of W Willow St in Harrisburg. Deputies arriving on scene were quickly able to put the fire out using fire extinguishers. At the business, deputies found a pile of bundled firewood that had caught on fire.

The Harrisburg Fire Department arrived on scene a short time later and soon found that there was another active fire near the back side of the building. Authorities say it immediately apparent the fires were suspicious in nature. Deputies searched the area and identified two suspects located in an apartment complex a few blocks away and arrested them.

24-year-old Kennith Big Bear, of Sioux Falls, faces two counts of arson and 23-year-old Chico Baker, of Harrisburg, is charged with aiding and abetting. According to court documents, Big Bear was upset because a clerk refused to sell him alcohol, so he allegedly started multiple fires outside the business.

This investigation is still ongoing and more charges are possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.