A Florida man is sitting in an Ohio jail after Columbus authorities say he sparked a fire inside his ex-girlfriend’s north-side apartment while on a FaceTime call, then allegedly left her oven on with a blanket inside. The woman was not home at the time. Investigators identified the suspect as Jermal Freeman, who is being held at the Franklin County jail in connection with the case.
FaceTime Warning, Blanket In The Oven
Columbus fire crews were called on April 10 to an apartment fire on Belcher Drive in north Columbus. According to investigators, the tenant told officers she was away when her ex-boyfriend FaceTimed her and warned that he was going to start a fire. She later told detectives Freeman turned on her oven with a blanket inside, according to WSYX.
Felony Counts And Alleged Threats
Freeman was arrested and booked into the Franklin County Jail, where he faces charges that include aggravated arson, aggravated menacing, and identity theft, as reported by WKRC. The victim had previously told police about other threats from Freeman, and a report says he told her, “I got your knife. I told you I wasn’t playing with you,” according to WSYX. Witnesses also told investigators that Freeman appeared to be trying to secure a return flight home, per WKRC.
Fire Hazards And Local Safety Resources
Ovens and other cooking equipment remain a leading cause of home fires nationwide, and items left inside or too close to heat sources can ignite quickly, the National Fire Protection Association notes. To help reduce the risk, local programs offered through the Columbus Division of Fire include fire-prevention outreach and a smoke-alarm hotline for tenants and landlords.
What Comes Next In Court
Freeman remains in county custody as prosecutors weigh formal filings, and specific arraignment and bond details were not immediately available, according to WKRC. Columbus police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office had not issued further public comment beyond those initial reports.
