ANADARKO, Okla. – The teenage son of a former fire official was charged with arson in four blazes set in a state that has been ravaged by deadly grass fires.
Justin Wilkerson, 18, was arrested hours after Monday's fires, one of which significantly damaged a vacant home. The others were grass fires that consumed less than an acre each, police Sgt. Dwaine Miller said.
Wilkerson had bragged to others about setting the fires, Miller said. A 14-year-old boy was also arrested, police Chief David Edwards said.
Wilkerson's father, Skip Wilkerson, recently retired after serving as assistant fire chief and interim fire chief in Anadarko, a town of 6,600 about 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. Phone calls to his home seeking comment were not immediately returned Thursday.
Justin Wilkerson was released from jail Thursday on $10,000 bond. Under the conditions of his release, he must remain in his parents' custody and stay away from fire and matches.
Statewide, grass fires have killed two people, burned 361,000 acres and destroyed more than 220 homes and businesses since Nov. 1.
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