Residential Arson Charge Filed in Shumway House Fire Case

(THE SCENE AFTER THE FIRE AT THE BECKY KUHLMAN HOUSE IN SHUMWAY FRIDAY MORNING)

A man living in Mode has been charged with residential arson in connection with a Friday fire that left his ex-wife's house a total loss.

43-year-old Derrick J. Kuhlman is being held on $500,000 bond for the offense. A request for a reduction of bond Monday was rejected.

(DERRICK KUHLMAN)

Kuhlman is accused of causing the fire that destroyed the house at 306 West Main. Shumway firefighters were called at 12:24am Friday to the fire scene. Fire companies from Effingham, Tri-County, Stewardson and Watson assisted at the scene and with staffing stations in case of another fire call. Two rekindles later that morning necessitated returns to the fire scene.

No one was at home at the time the fire was discovered. Shumway Fire Chief Joe Kemme declared the house a total loss and estimated the damage at well over $100,000.

Kuhlman, with other felony charges still pending from other incidents, is next due in court on the aggravated arson charge on January 14.