One person arrested in Elkhart arson investigation

 

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.—A man was arrested following a house fire in Elkhart on Friday afternoon. 

Officials responded to the scene of an active house fire in the 1800 block of Belmont Ave. around 2:09 p.m.

According to police, a man who lives in the home, identified as Manuel Buitendorp, 58, was arrested for arson.

Buitendorp's adult male son was in the home when Buitendorp allegedly lit the fire.

Buitendorp's neighbor Cathy Ellsworth described the fire.

"As soon as i pulled in my back driveway off the alley i seen flames and as i got closer to the driveway i seen it was my neighbors house that was on fire," Ellsworth said. 

According to investigators Manuel Buitendorf was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation then arrested.