MAN INDICTED FOR AGGRAVATED ARSON IN THREE-ALARM FIRE AT STRUCTURE NEAR TOPIARY PARK THAT CAUSED 20

MAN INDICTED FOR AGGRAVATED ARSON IN THREE-ALARM FIRE AT STRUCTURE NEAR TOPIARY PARK THAT CAUSED 20 to 25 MILLION IN ESTIMATED DAMAGES

Posted on 6/12/2020

Defendant: Derrick Demarco Lee

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “This man was seen on surveillance video walking into this fenced structure shortly before the fire was reported.” Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Derrick Demarco Lee, age 30, for one count of Aggravated Arson (F-1), one count of Arson (F-4), and for one count of Vandalism (F-3), for a total of three counts, in connection to the three-alarm fire reported in the early morning hours of May 31, 2020. “The fire at this multi-family 5 story residential structure that was under construction, located at 65 S. Washington Avenue near Topiary Park, was completely destroyed and placed over 100 firefighters in extreme danger as they attempted to contain the fire,” O’Brien commented. Damage to the structure is estimated to be 20-25 million dollars. O’Brien commended all of the firefighters who risked their lives while battling the massive fire. Arraignment for Lee is set for next Wednesday, June 16^th at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2B at 345 S. High Street in downtown Columbus.