Arrest Made in Quincy Ave. Business Fires

During the early morning hours of Thursday, August 27, 2020, three separate businesses on Quincy Avenue sustained fire damage to the outside of their businesses after debris, that was on the outside of the buildings, was set on fire. 

• The first fire was reported at 3:02 a.m. at Gilworth Furniture located 854 N. Quincy.
• The second fire was reported at 3:09 a.m. at the rear of Dollar General located at 721 N. Quincy.  
• The third fire was reported at 5:25 a.m. at the rear of Hobby Lobby located at 1131 N. Quincy.      

The Ottumwa Fire Department responded to each of these businesses and extinguished the fires. 

The Ottumwa Police Department began an investigation into these fires which included reviewing the City of Ottumwa’s camera system that has camera’s capturing the traffic flow of vehicles on Quincy Ave.

On 09-16-20 at approximately 10:35 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department arrested Tanner Stone Simmers, age 18, of 831 S. Ward, in relation to these fires.  Simmers was charged with 3 counts of Arson 2nd Degree, all Class “C” Felonies.  

Simmers has bonded out of the Wapello County Jail.