Alabama charged with arson after witnesses account place him at scene of two structure fires

Published 9:26 am Tuesday, June 27, 2023

An Alabama man is suspected of arson in two structure fires after witnesses reportedly spotted him when fires were started.

Norwood Atmore Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said in a release that John E. Norwood, 38, was arrested on June 22 and charged with two counts of arson II.

McMann said the arrest stemmed from two reports of witness accounts of Norwood allegedly being at the scene of a structure fire on South Road.

McMann said on June 20 at approximately 5:50 p.m., the Atmore Fire Department and APD responded to a structure fire at a vacant residence at 165 South Rd.

“The fire was extinguished and through witness accounts, a suspect was identified as John Edward Norwood, age 38, of Atmore,” McMann said.

McMann said then on June 22, at approximately 7:15 a.m., the AFD and APD responded a second time to 165 South Rd. in reference to a structure fire.

“Witness accounts placed Norwood on the property at the time the fire started,” he said. “Responding officers were able to set a perimeter and Norwood was taken into custody a short time later.”

Norwood was arrested and through the investigation was charged with two counts of arson II, and was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.