A Stuart man was arrested and booked into the Adair County Jail Sunday evening for allegedly starting a fire at the Super 8 Hotel located at 203 Southeast 7th Street in Stuart.

According to Stuart Police Chief David Reha, officers responded to a call at the hotel just after 5:30pm Sunday.  Upon arrival they found a guest room on fire inside the building.  Stuart PD had to evacuate the hotel by going room-to-room because fire alarms in the building were not functioning properly.

After a cooperative investigation between Stuart PD, the Stuart Fire Department and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, it was concluded that the fire was started intentionally.  Jason McGowan of Stuart was arrested at the scene of the fire.  He has been charged with First Degree Arson, False Reporting of a fire and False Reporting to a Public Safety Entity in relation to the fire.

While inside evacuating the hotel, Stuart PD discovered that one of its vehicles had been intentionally damaged.  McGowan was also charged with Criminal Mischief in relation to the damage to the police vehicle.

Stuart PD estimates the hotel room to be a total loss with damage in excess of $3,000.  Damage to the police vehicle was estimated at $200.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.