(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Officers along with the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department are investigating a fire that was intentionally set at an apartment complex Friday evening. The fire was reported at about 9:38 p.m. at 310 12th Street Southeast, Apartment C. Upon arrival at the apartment complex, Le Mars Police officers had learned that 25 year old Patrick Van Noort had allegedly started the apartment on fire then fled the area in a vehicle. Van Noort was one of the residents of the apartment. Le Mars firefighters quickly determined that no one else was in the apartment. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the other residents living in the other apartments were evacuated as firefighters put out the fire. A master bedroom in the apartment suffered fire, heat, smoke and water damage.
At approximately 10:56 p.m. Van Noort was located in Hawarden and was taken into custody by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office then transported Van Noort back to the Plymouth County Jail in Le Mars to be held on the Class B felony charge of First Degree Arson. Le Mars Police Department was assisted by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, and the Le Mars Ambulance Service.
(featured photo contributed.)
