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Last updated on Saturday, June 16, 2012
(LINTON) - Jarule, a husky pit bull, and Brittany Wilson had an emotional reunion Friday morning outside the smoldering one-story home where her dad lived. Wilson, who recently moved to Linton, cried as the dog licked her face.
Nick Schneider, of the Greene County Daily News reports, when she and her father, James Wilson, arrived on the scene, situated near the Greene-Sullivan County line about 7:30 a.m., the safety of the family's dog was very much on their minds.
They were relieved to find out that Linton Fire Chief Brad Sparks and firefighter Jayson Smith were able to rescue the dog from inside the burning house, located on County Road 150 N, near Woodland Bible Camp. The scared dog was looking out a side window when firefighters arrived on the scene.
The suspicious fire broke out sometime before 5:45 a.m. when it was reported to the Linton Police/Fire Department Dispatch by two passing motorists who were heading to work.
They saw the smoke and flames, stopped and went to a neighbors to call for help.
Personnel from the Linton, Wright Township and Dugger fire departments responded.
The fire started in the back side of the home in a laundry room, where heavy damage was sustained from fire, smoke and water. There was extensive smoke and water damage to other parts of the residence, according to Sparks.
James Wilson was not at home when the fire broke out. He was working the night shift at the Linton Super Walmart store. He's also employed during the day by Morrison's Construction Company of Linton.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's office, as well as the Greene County Sheriff's Department, was contacted and each came to the fire scene later Friday morning to investigate the blaze as a possible arson.
Sparks says after looking over the scene, the state fire marshal's field investigator didn't make an initial ruling on the cause, leaving it open at this time,
James Wilson told authorities that someone earlier in the morning, about 4 a.m., came to the Walmart store where he worked and "threatened him" over a girlfriend relationship.
The alleged verbal threat promised that Wilson "was going to pay" for reviving an old relationship. The man threatened to shoot Wilson.
About three hours later, Wilson was notified of the fire at his home.
James Wilson stood and looked at the heavily damaged home with tears welling up in his eyes saying he was thankful that he and his dog were safe, but wondered why something like this happened.
When asked what he planned to do for a place to live after the fire, James Wilson just stood and stared at the house, unable to talk.
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