The Hopkinsville Police Department is investigating a fire that began in a structure on Early Drive Saturday night as arson and an individual has been arrested.
According to the Hopkinsville police report, officers responded to a residence on Early Drive around 9:20 p.m. for reports of a fire that was thought to be intentionally set. The structure was identified as a Pennyroyal Mental Health crisis house and during the investigation, 22-year-old Brandon Seeley of Hopkinsville allegedly told police he had started the fire on purpose.
He allegedly told officers he had done it in an attempt to kill everyone inside in the hope of being sent to Western State Hospital, according to the police report. He also reportedly said Western State has multiple electrical plugs so he can start fires there too.
The residence had two other individuals inside at the time of the incident. An employee had been able to use a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze before the fire department arrived. No one was injured in the incident.
Seeley was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and lodged in the Christian County Jail.