Forrest Manwell, 38, of Leesville has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder and once count of aggravated arson.
At approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a structure fire of a travel trailer, located off of Hwy. 184 near North Fort Polk.
The Fort Polk Fire Department and the Slagle Fire Department also responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, however the travel trailer was a total loss.
The owner of the home stated that he and his 10-year-old son were asleep in the residence, when he was awakened by a noise. The victim stated that he discovered the residence was on fire and managed to get himself and his son out of the trailer. The victim explained that after exiting the trailer he discovered a propane bottle had been placed beneath the trailer and was emitting a gas flame which caught the home on fire.
The victim claimed that he was able to extinguish the fire from the propane bottle and drag it away from the home.
VPSO detectives and an investigator from the Louisiana State Fire Marshall’s Office were called to the scene to process the crime scene, interview witnesses and collect evidence.
Detectives arrested Manwell in connection with the incident and charged him with two counts of attempted first degree murder and once count of aggravated arson. He was booked into the Vernon Parish Jail where he remains incarcerated. Bond has not been set at this time.
In an unrelated matter Jerry Johnson, 43, of Leesville was arrested for aggravated cruelty to animals. He was booked into the Vernon Parish Jail and was later released on $2,500 bond.