Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Graham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible arson of an abandoned mobile home in the Little Hollywood area.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A landowner and mobile home dealer are both considered possible suspects in an arson case that occurred March 21 at Hollywood Road and Pilgrim Star Road.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies and firefighters were dispatched to the location at about 2:40 a.m. regarding an abandoned mobile home on fire. The volunteer Safford Fire Department put out the fire and kept it to the single structure.
While at the scene, a firefighter who also works for the county regarding planning and zoning advised that the property owner where the mobile home was located had been ordered to move it because it was in a flood zone. The mobile home actually belonged to the property owner’s brother, who is in prison.
The planning and zoning employee told the deputy that the landowner paid taxes on the mobile home and then hired a local mobile home dealer to remove the home. Upon the dealer’s attempt to remove the home, however, it began to fall apart, so it was brought back to the property. The planning and zoning employee then told the deputy that an employee with the home dealer claimed that the landowner had inquired about a burn permit to burn the mobile home or tear it apart.
The deputy reported the case is being investigated as arson with both the landowner and mobile home dealer as suspects pending follow up with both parties.
