Historic Cabin Destroyed By Fire

Flames Spread Quickly UPDATE: Suspect In Fire Arrested

A replica cabin at a historic site at the Falls of the Ohio in southern Indiana was destroyed after a massive fire broke out.

The building that went up in flames was the cabin at the historic George Rogers Clark home site.

Clarksville Fire Chief Brandon Skaggs said firefighters were notified of several fires in the south Clarksville area around 6 p.m. When they arrived to the home site, they found the cabin fully engulfed in flames.

By 6:25 p.m., the roof had fallen through.

Firefighters from Clarksville and the nearby area surrounded the scene but little could be done to bring down the flames. The fire did not appear to spread to the nearby structures.

The fire subsided around 7 p.m.

Skaggs said it wasn't the only fire reported in the area. He said three other fires were reported, including a river bank fire and two brush fires.

The fire chief said the four total fires are under investigation and they're not ruling anything out. He said that Jeffersonville Fire and the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office are assisting with the investigation.

Skaggs said Clarksville police, Clark County Sheriff's Office and Indiana State Police also responded to the cabin scene.

No injuries were reported.

The cabin has been at the home site since 2001, when it was brought down from Osgood, Indiana, as part of a centennial celebration. According to the Falls of the Ohio website, it was built with about the same dimensions of Clark's original home, which was destroyed in 1854.

The home site itself was home to the American Revolutionary War hero from 1803 to 1809.

Also at the site is the McGee Cabin, modeled after a typical early 19th century slave cabin. It's located right behind the replica cabin of George Rogers Clark. It appears that the McGee Cabin wasn't damaged by the massive fire.

Skaggs said there wasn't additional information to be released Thursday about the fires. He called the situation "tragic for the area" and that he was sad the cabin was destroyed.

UPDATE:

Clarksville man charged in George Rogers Clark Home Site Investigation and other area Fires (Clark County) 

An arrest has been made and charges filed in the investigation of several fires, which included the destruction of the cabin at the George Rogers Clark Home Site that occurred late Thursday afternoon.

After an extensive coordinated investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers and other state and local agencies, Indiana Conservation Officer’s obtained arrest and search warrants for the suspect and his residence.

At 4:24 p.m. Friday afternoon, detectives and officers with Clarksville Police Department arrested Jason D. Fosse, 36, of Clarksville. Fosse was booked into the Clark County jail on a charge of Arson, a Level 4 Felony.

Agencies assisting in the investigation included the Clarksville Police Department, the Clarksville Fire Department Fire Marshall’s Office, the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office, and the Indiana State Police.

The investigation is ongoing.  Gathering more information in this case is critical. Indiana Conservation Officers ask that anyone with video or witness information relating to the fires contact Indiana Conservation Officer’s Central Dispatch at (812) 837-9536.