ELIZABETH ARSONISTS PLEAD GUILTY - One Year Since Downtown Fire

(06/14/2007)
Today marks the anniversary of a major fire that destroyed a section of downtown Elizabeth.

Both 20-year-old suspects connected to the arson have confessed to the crime.

Jerod Evans and Willie Trembly have entered guilty pleas.

They have pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering, three counts of second-degree arson and two counts of causing injury during an arson-related crime.

Destroyed in the fire was, the century-old Robert's Hardware store, the Elizabeth Quick Cash, and the county's 911 mapping and addressing center.

The fire did significant damage to nearby homes, businesses and a church.

Trembly and Evans could be facing up to 60 years in prison. The sentencing dates are set for July and August.

See ...   Fire Departments Fight Early Morning Blaze

... and ... Notes From A Fireman's Diary