CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — Police said a suspect is in custody in connection to a fire that destroyed a cabin at the George Rogers Clark historic site in Clarksville.
Clarksville Fire Chief Brandon Skaggs said crews responded to a fire at a cabin at the Falls of the Ohio at around 6 p.m. Thursday. The fire was one of several reported in south Clarksville around the same time.
On Friday afternoon, Clarksville Police named Jason Fosse a suspect in the fire, later reporting he was in custody.
The cabin was a replica of Clark's original retirement home his brother, William Clark, met Meriwether Lewis at ahead of the legendary Lewis and Clark expedition. The original cabin was destroyed in 1854, and a replica was made with similar dimensions in 2001.
"For twenty years, the reproduction of the George Rogers Clark cabin at Falls of the Ohio State Park has educated Hoosiers and our guests of the important role the site, and region, played in the history of our nation," the Indiana DNR said. "It has long served as a peaceful place for Americans to meet, reflect, and celebrate events in their lives. We are deeply saddened by this loss."
Virgil Herling volunteered at the Clark cabin giving tours. It had been closed down because of the pandemic, but he was looking forward to giving tours again this summer.
"That's not going to happen, I guess," Herling said. "It's just a tragedy, what has happened here, because this is such an important part of our history.”
Elizabeth Allen, whose husband helped build the replica, said she was saddened to see the fire destroy the cabin.
"It's sad, really sad," Allen said. "I was proud of this area. I mean, George Rogers Clark, Lewis and Clark, they started this right here, the expedition, and went on their journey, and now it's just sad."
PHOTOS | George Rogers Clark homesite fire
No injuries were reported and Skaggs said the fire was under investigation.
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