FLORISSANT, Mo. — A suspect who police believe started a fire that burned down a home in Florissant has been arrested, court documents show.
Florissant resident Joshua Thomas was charged with first-degree arson. He is accused of setting fire to an object and placing it next to the front porch of a home on Riverwood Estates Boulevard at around 1:16 a.m. Investigators reportedly recovered home surveillance video showing Thomas committing the crime.
The fire then climbed into the roof, blew the garage door off, and damaged the two vehicles inside, according to the documents. The house has since been listed as a total loss.
Two victims inside the home were able to escape out of the back door with their dog after smoke alarms sounded.
“It was really just a shock and awe. Not a lot of words could really meet them where they were this morning. I’m sure they’re still feeling lots of emotions,” said Sandy Kessler, the couple’s insurance agent and friend.
Neighbors in the area identified Thomas to the police as someone familiar with the area, investigators said. Thomas also allegedly wore the same clothing and distinct red mask the suspect in the surveillance video was wearing when police arrived at his address. Thomas also told police he was in the area riding his scooter up and down the burned home's street.
“They got up and in seconds got out the back of their house. Yes, I’m sure their barking dog and smoke alarm saved their lives,” Kessler said. "... Again, I’m just in shock and in absolute utter disbelief that a human being could do this to another human being so randomly and so maliciously. Craig and Theresa are so relieved that police were able to catch him so quickly,” said Kessler.
The victims had no prior relationship with Thomas, according to court documents.
"The victims are strangers to him and it appears that he did this at random," an officer wrote in a probable cause statement.
“I’ve known them for several decades. They’re wonderful people. They are doers, and they have done so much in this neighborhood," Kessler said.