Iron County man faces arson charge after officials say he set his home on fire in suicide attempt

Responders push a gurney at the scene of a structure fire on 2800 West, north of Cedar City, Utah, May 22, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A man who investigators suspect of deliberately setting fire to his own residence in an apparent attempt to harm himself was arrested following the incident north of Cedar City on Sunday evening. 

Authorities investigate the scene of a structure fire on 2800 West, north of Cedar City, Utah, May 22, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Joseph Anthony Cascone, 39, was booked into Iron County Jail early Monday morning on suspicion of aggravated arson, a first degree felony, in addition to misdemeanor charges of interfering with an arresting officer and providing a false name to police.

According to a probable cause statement filed Monday in support of Cascone’s arrest, just after 7:40 p.m. Sunday, deputies and firefighters were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at a residence located in unincorporated Iron County on 2800 West street at approximately 5250 North.

Responders arrived to find a broken-out window near the southwest corner of the small home, with blood around the window and ground, according to the affidavit.

After receiving no response to shouted announcements to anyone who might be inside, one of the deputies kicked the front door open, finding it barricaded by a large metal shelf.

“I pushed it out of the way and observed open flames through the thick dark smoke,” the deputy wrote.

“When there was no response from within the residence from possible victims, deputies started taking actions to assist Cedar City Fire Department,” the deputy wrote, adding that he and the other deputies then turned off the gas to the residence, sprayed water onto the flames using a hose and water spout to spray onto open flames and set up a perimeter around the scene. 

Authorities investigate the scene of a structure fire on 2800 West, north of Cedar City, Utah, May 22, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

As firefighters arrived and began tackling the fire, deputies noticed a white pickup truck parked behind the residence. The truck reportedly had a garden hose going from its exhaust pipe to inside the passenger compartment. 

Although it did not appear at first that anyone was inside the locked vehicle, one of the deputies reportedly spotted movement on the floor of the rear seat of the truck. After breaking a window to gain access, the deputies then found Cascone lying on the floorboards. He was reportedly holding a construction razor blade, which he refused to drop, despite officers’ commands.

“I grabbed the hand that was holding the blade and another deputy tased Joseph until Joseph let go of the razor blade,” the deputy wrote, adding that Cascone was then pulled out of the vehicle and placed in handcuffs.

After being loaded onto a gurney then into a waiting Gold Cross Ambulance, Cascone was transported to Cedar City Hospital for treatment of cuts and other injuries. 

A few hours later, after being medically cleared at the hospital, Cascone was booked into jail. Along with the new charges, Cascone reportedly had several outstanding warrants, including multiple drug and DUI charges, theft and driving violations.

First responders prepare to transport an injured man from the scene of a structure fire on 2800 West, north of Cedar City, Utah, May 22, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Utah court records indicate Cascone has an extensive criminal history, mostly for drug-related offenses, dating back approximately 15 years.

Although firefighters from multiple engine crews were able to extinguish the blaze before it did substantial damage to the metal structure, there did appear to be some interior smoke damage.

Those responding to the incident included personnel from Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, Cedar City Fire Department, Cedar City Police and Utah Highway Patrol.

This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously.

Nationwide suicide hotlines, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (8255), have counselors available 24/7. The Southwest Behavioral Health Center also offers help for Southern Utah residents; call 800-574-6763 or 435-634-5600.

Other resources include Suicide.org, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology. All provide comprehensive information and help on the issue of suicide, from prevention to treatment to coping with loss.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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