Cape Girardeau man faces arson charges in fire on Big Bend Road

A Cape Girardeau man faces arson charges in connection with a fire that occurred early Friday morning.

Demarquis M. Gill, 25, was charged with first-degree arson after the woman who had been living at 1863 Big Bend Road said they'd had a recent altercation, said Cape Girardeau police spokesman Sgt. Jason Selzer.

Firefighters responded to the blaze about 5 a.m. Friday to find the house and a nearby 1997 Mercury Mystique in the carport engulfed.

The fire spread to a neighboring home at 1901 Big Bend Road.

The family inside the home at 1863 Big Bend Road escaped unharmed while crews rescued a dog, the only occupant inside the home at 1901 Big Bend Road.

A fire early Friday morning blazed through the home at 1863 Big Bend Road in north Cape Girardeau. KIT DOYLEkdoyle@ semissourian.com

Gill later admitted to investigators that he'd poured the gas into the passenger area of the vehicle and lit it with his own lighter.

He had fresh burns to his face and hand, according to a probable-cause statement by Cape Girardeau Detective Don Perry.

The fire caused an estimated $85,000 worth of damage to the two homes. Gill is being held at the Cape Girardeau County Jail on $150,000 cash or surety bond.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses:

1901 Big Bend Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

1863 Big Bend Road, Cape Girardeau, MO