One charged in downtown Winchester blaze

Winchester Police arrested a man overnight in connection with a fire across from Leeds Center for the Arts.

Billy Joe Ross, 59, was arrested early this morning and charged with first-degree arson for the blaze, according to the Clark County Detention Center.

Winchester Fire-EMS responded to a structure fire late Thursday night at 40 S. Main St. Video of the event shows heavy fire coming from the second floor when firefighters arrived. Winchester Fire-EMS Battalion Chief Scotty Bell said three people were rescued with the department’s ladder truck and several others escaped through the back of the building.

Bell said the fire was controlled within about 20 minutes but firefighters from Winchester and Clark County stayed on scene for a couple more hours.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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