FOX 56 News

Man charged with arson for downtown Monticello fire

MONTICELLO, Ky. (FOX 56) – Police in Monticello have charged the man who they said is responsible for the that destroyed multiple buildings.

The Monticello Police Department said Joey Wayne Hall, 45, of Monticello, was taken into custody on Sunday morning in connection to the downtown blaze.

He has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson.

Hall is lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.


Previous story:

Part of downtown Monticello will be closed until further notice after an early morning fire caused heavy damage to buildings near the Wayne County Courthouse.

The Wayne County Fire Department reported that a fire broke out shortly after 12 a.m. on Friday, quickly destroying two largely vacant buildings on Main Street and causing fire and smoke damage to a third building and the courthouse.

Officials said the fire was under control for a period of time and then re-ignited after 3 a.m.

The general manager at WKYM radio shared the following images and told FOX 56 that the buildings had housed attorney’s offices in the past but were empty now except for some apartments in the back.

Police said detours will be in place until at least Monday.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.