The man accused of intentionally setting his Charlotte home on fire, resulting in an explosion, has been arrested in Chicago, as confirmed by Cook County arrest records. Michael Edward Barnette, the homeowner, was apprehended last Saturday and is now facing charges of arson. With the Charlotte Fire Department naming him a suspect, he is currently awaiting extradition back to North Carolina, WBTV reports.
Details emerging from Barnette's arrest indicate he was detained at Chicago's Union Station by Amtrak police and subsequently arrested by Chicago Police after getting off an Amtrak train, he had with him a backpack containing personal belongings, a cellphone, and $500 in cash and upon his arrest, "requested to call the Pentagon switchboard," according to a Chicago police arrest report, these new specifics were outlined in an arrest warrant obtained by The Charlotte Observer.
The incident in question occurred in the early hours of May 2, when a residence on Lombardy Circle was demolished by an explosion and subsequent fire. The Charlotte Fire Department later concluded that the cause of the fire was intentional, leading to an estimated $445,000 in property and content loss, as family homes nearby were damaged and two individuals, a neighbor and a firefighter, sustained minor injuries in the ordeal, as per reports by WCNC Charlotte.
"This fire put lives at risk — both the public and our firefighters," Chief Reginald Johnson said, highlighting the dangers such destructive actions pose to the community. The fire department spokesperson shared this information. In the aftermath of the event, neighbors recalled their experiences, with one stating, "We were asleep and we heard a big explosion and didn't know what happened," the neighbor went on to describe the alarming sight of the home engulfed in flames upon further investigation, these accounts were provided to WCNC Charlotte.
While details about the explosion are limited due to the ongoing investigation, media outlets are seeking additional information regarding Barnette's extradition. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
