Oakhurst Firefighter Accused Of Arson

An Oakhurst Fire Department firefighter has been accused of intentionally starting a grass fire early Saturday morning.

Monday, February 23rd 2009, 3:23 pm

By: News On 6

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- An Oakhurst Fire Department firefighter has been accused of intentionally starting a grass fire early Saturday morning.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says 44-year-old Merle Lawson was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County jail on a complaint of third degree arson.

A deputy investigating the incident says Lawson and a volunteer firefighter walked to a field near 58th and Southwest Boulevard. The volunteer firefighter told the deputy; Lawson lit a bottle of gasoline and tossed it into the field, starting a grass fire.

The pair then ran back to the fire station.

Lawson is free on $5,000 bond.