(Bedford, Iowa) – An arrest was made Sunday in connection with a house fire that seriously injured a woman from Bedford. According to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the fire occurred at 1871 Orange Avenue, in Bedford. The incident was discovered at around 2:46-a.m.  A woman living in the residence was able to escape, but suffered serious injuries. She was treated by Taylor County EMS before being flown to a burn center for treatment.

Sheriff’s Deputies began an investigation into the origin of the fire, which led to the belief that it was caused by an act or arson.  As a result of their investigation, 68-year-old Ellis Houk, of Kellerton, was arrested on a charge of Arson in the 1st Degree. Additional charges are pending. Houk was located and is being held in Texas, awaiting extradition to Taylor County on a no bond warrant.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office thanks the following agencies for their assistance: Sharpsburg, Gravity, Bedford and New Market Fire Departments; Taylor County EMS (Bedford and Lenox); Air Evac; and the Adams and Ringgold County Sheriff’s Offices.

*All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.