Special to the Enquirer

According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Oct. 12 an individual pulled into a residence in the 100 block of Hand Road in unincorporated Falkville – and what he witnessed led to arson charges for a Falkville man.

Joshua Lee Chaney, 32, of Falkville was arrested and charged with first-degree arson following the situation police encountered Oct. 12.

Authorities said the witness observed the front door and porch of the structure were on fire. He also said he witnessed a male run from the home to a nearby residence.

The individual called Morgan County 911 and beat on the house to alert those inside. A female resident was inside the home laying on the couch and was able to evacuate the home. Together they extinguished the fire.

Morgan County deputy sheriffs arrived and secured the scene. Using information from the witness, they went to the nearby residence and detained an individual, Chaney, who matched the description of the male allegedly seen running from the home.

Members of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene. Upon arrival, investigators determined Chaney had allegedly started the fire because he was mad at his neighbor. During the course of the investigation, officers said they found Chaney had set fire to a garbage can beside the home on an earlier date.

Chaney was arrested at the scene and was transported to the Morgan County Jail, where he was booked on a $10,000 bond.