Suspect Identified In Connection With Arson Fire

(From the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office)

On March 18, 2026, at approximately 0256 hours, the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a structure fire at 19015 County Highway 53, Forest. According to the caller, an abandoned house trailer on the property was fully engulfed in flames. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office, along with fire personnel from several surrounding stations, responded to the scene.

After the fire had been extinguished, fire personnel suspected foul play. The Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit and the State of Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office initiated an investigation and, with assistance from deputies on scene, determined the fire to be the result of arson.

Investigators developed a lead and secured a residential search warrant for 11651 County Highway 81 in Forest, Ohio, the residence of Kaleb J. Barger. Upon execution of the search warrant, Investigators recovered items believed to be associated with the incident. Following an interview with Kaleb Barger, criminal charges for arson will be submitted to the Wyandot County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Detectives have determined this to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Wharton Fire, Upper Sandusky Fire Department, Pitt Fire, Marseilles Fire, Forest Fire, and Hardin County EMS.

Sheriff Frey thanks the public for their assistance and encourages residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agency.

 

Sheriff Todd D. Frey

Wyandot County Sheriff