A Washington man has been arrested on multiple felony charges following an investigation by the Washington Police Department. They arrested 40-year-old Keith Charlier on three counts of second-degree arson, all class C felonies, and three counts of reckless use of fire or explosives, all serious misdemeanors. 

According to court records on November 12th, 2025, at approximately 11:12 p.m., the Washington Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the 500 block of South 11th Avenue. Charlier reported his vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was a complete loss. 

A video surveillance system was recovered and reviewed. The video allegedly shows Charlier driving the vehicle off of a trailer, repeatedly trying to start the vehicle, until it erupts in flames. He exits the car and then tosses an item out of the vehicle. He is seen picking up the item, which was the shape of a gasoline can. He is then seen walking away toward his house with the can. The value of the car was over $750 and it was reported to insurance.

Two weeks later, on November 25th, the Washington Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 505 South 11th Avenue. The fire also spread to a neighboring residence at 501 South 11th Avenue. The house at 505 South 11th Avenue was a total loss. The residence at 501 South 11th Avenue sustained major damage.

According to court documents, at the time of the fire, the house at 505 South 11th Avenue owned by Charlier, where the fire started, had no gas or electricity utilities active. A search warrant that was obtained for GPS data showed Charlier circling the residence shortly before the fire. 

The GPS also allegedly showed Charlier at the residence shortly before the fire was reported, as well as leaving the scene shortly before the fire was reported. At the time of the fire there was a person inside the neighboring house at 501 South 11th Avenue. 

Charlier is being held in the Washington County Jail on a $50,000 bond, a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 16th. 

KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.