Ottumwa, IA- The Ottumwa Police Department has announced the arrest of a man for Arson and Animal Abuse.
According to a news release, at about 2:15 AM on November 21st, Ottumwa Firefighters and Police Officers responded to a reported house fire at 502 Wabash Avenue in Ottumwa.
While emergency personnel were responding to the call, the resident of 502 Wabash called 911 and said that she was trapped inside the house.
When police arrived, they were able to break out a window and pull the victim, 84-year-old Patricia Bird, to safety. Bird was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.
An investigation revealed that two pet dogs died as a result of the fire.
At about 2:45 PM Tuesday, November 28th, 67-year-old George Edward Dennison, also of 502 Wabash Avenue, Ottumwa, was arrested in relation to this incident, and charged with 1st Degree Arson, and 2 counts of Animal Abuse.
Dennison is the son of Patricia Bird, and was living with Bird in her residence when the fire took place.
