Fremont man charged with setting house on fire

Suspect reportedly threatened resident after argument over money

Craig Shoup
The News-Messenger
David Flickinger

FREMONT - A Fremont man is charged with setting a Buchanan Street house on fire after arguing with a resident in the home.

David Flickinger, 53, was charged with second degree aggravated arson after police alleged he and Cynthia Preston went to Malcom Machin's home at 740 S. Buchanan St. and asked for grocery money.

When the man said, "No, I am not your mother," Flickinger allegedly became angry and told Machin "he will burn his house down," according to a Fremont Police report.

Machin told police he did not believe Flickinger would follow through with his threat and said he went to a friend's house as Flickinger and Preston drove away in a Buick.

As he was riding a bike to his friend's house, Machin told police he heard sirens from a fire truck heading toward his home.

The man returned home to find firefighters putting out a fire on the east side of the house.

Firefighters accessed the interior of the house to find Machin's dog, a pit bull mix, as the home was filling with light smoke.

The dog was removed from the home and survived, the report said.

Firefighters determined the fire started from a couch Machin had been storing on his back deck, and spread from the couch, damaging vinyl siding, the storm door, the roof and electrical wiring.

When questioned by police about the incident, Flickinger denied going to Machin's house, and said he had been in Tiffin picking up corn from Preston's sister's house.

Preston told police the two went to Machin's home and that Machin owed Flickinger $100 and he would not pay him.

The woman told police Flickinger then used a lighter to set the couch on fire.

After the woman told police the two went to Machin's house, Flickinger then stated they went to the home, but that the fire may have been caused by a lit cigarette he tossed beside the couch, the report said.

After Flickinger was booked into the Sandusky County Jail, police questioned Preston again, asking her about the incident.

Preston told police the two men got into a heated argument about money and that Flickinger said he would burn the house down prior to leaving.

As all parties left the home, Preston said Flickinger drove back to Machin's home, took a cigarette lighter and exited the car before returning one minute later.

While driving away from the home, Preston said Flickinger told her he "taught him a lesson."

Flickinger could face animal cruelty charges in addition to aggravated arson charges because Machin's dog was inside the home at the time of the incident.


Twitter: @CraigShoupNH