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Man charged after February fires damaged more than 20 rooms at downtown Columbus hotel

A man has been arrested on an aggravated-arson charge in connection with two fires at The Westin Great Southern Columbus. Investigators say a Bible bearing his name and two backpacks were found amid fire damage at the hotel.

Man charged after February fires damaged more than 20 rooms at downtown Columbus hotel
A man has been arrested on an aggravated-arson charge after two fires were set at a downtown Columbus hotel in February, according to a police complaint affidavit. Fire crews responded Feb. 4 to The Westin Great Southern Columbus, at South High and East Main streets, and found fires in an ice room on the sixth floor and in a second-floor emergency stairwell. Investigators determined both fires were intentionally set, the affidavit says. The hotel’s sprinkler system activated, causing water damage to more than 20 rooms. The report put losses at more than $100,000. Surveillance footage showed a man arriving by COTA bus with two backpacks, entering the hotel for about 10 minutes and leaving through emergency doors on East Noble Street, the affidavit says. Both backpacks were later recovered from the sixth-floor fire damage, along with a Bible bearing the name J’Vonte Edwards inside. A warrant for Edwards’ arrest was issued in February. He was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with aggravated arson. A judge set bond at $500,000 the following day, and Edwards was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 16. The charge is an allegation; the case is pending in court.

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