Arson Suspect Arrested After Man Burned In Duplex Fire

A Fayetteville man is in critical condition and another was arrested in connection with attempted capital murder and arson after a fight led to a duplex fire.

The Fayetteville Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 2:58 a.m. Thursday morning and found Terry Johnson inside at 678 W. Martha Dr. Emergency personnel transported Johnson to Washington Regional Medical Center before airlifting him to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock because of severe burns, police said.

Donnie Smith

Johnson got in a fight with Donnie G. Smith shortly before the fire, said Cpl. Daniel Montgomery of the Fayetteville Police Department. Officers located and detained Smith, 36, soon afterward.

Fire Marshal Harley Hunt said the Marshal’s office and police are working together to investigate the incident. Smith remained in the Washington County Detention Center on Thursday awaiting a bond hearing.