Arson Suspect in Bond Court

New details about what led up to an apartment fire that left a dozen people homeless. Wednesday Joe Fennell faced a judge and some very interesting details came out in court. Investigators say two days before the fire, the suspect sounded an alarm to the property management that he was going to set the fire. He had lost his job, and officials say he was mad that he was about to lose his home. Eight families were forced out of their homes and into an uncertain night last October at the Cypress Run Apartments. Investigators say Joe Fennell lost his job in April and authorities say he, his wife, and their three children were about to be evicted. He was seen leaving the scene immediately at the inception at the time of the fire. Investigator Richard Seel says two days before the fire, Fennell called the apartment owners and reported what turned out to be false electrical problems in his apartment. Seel says Fennell demanded he get $1800 in damages. When he was asked for proof, Seel says Fennell got mad and said quote, “If you can’t pay me, I’ll do this Joe’s way. I’ll burn the building down.”