FROM STAFF REPORTS
A Mt. Ulla man faces eight felony charges in connection with a fire that destroyed a home, killed several pets and injured two firefighters.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Eric Donnelle Cherry, 54, of Joe Rankin Road, Mt. Ulla, in a news release Thursday.
Cherry’s arrest followed the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation of a fire on August 1 at 121 Indian Springs Drive near Mooresville.
Multiple fire departments responded to the scene of the fire, and the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire had been intentionally set.
Two firefighters were injured while attempting to extinguish the fire. Both are expected to recover from their injuries.
Six family pets were found deceased at the scene due to the fire.
Investigators learned that a report had been filed on Tuesday, July 30, involving Cherry, who reportedly broke a window at the residence due to a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. Deputies on the scene overheard a telephone conversation in which Cherry made threats against the victim, according to the news release. Cherry was arrested at his residence in connection with those threats.
On Wednesday, August 7, ICSO investigators obtained felony arrest warrants charging Cherry with Felony Second-Degree Arson, six counts of Felony Cruelty to Animals, and Felony Arson or Other Unlawful Burning That Results in Serious Injury to a Firefighter or Emergency Medical Technician.
Cherry, who was already in custody at the Iredell County Detention Center, was denied bond on the charges related to the August 1 fire.
According to the ICSO, Cherry’s criminal record includes the following charges: Misdemeanor Larceny, Driving While License Revoked, Domestic Violence Protection Order Violation, Felony Obtaining Property By False Pretenses, Felony Failure to Report New Address- Sex Offender, Fictitious Information to an Officer, Felony Second Degree Kidnapping, Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Felony Possession With Intent To Sell and Deliver Schedule 2, Misdemeanor Littering in Public, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Breaking into a Coin/ Currency Machine.