A Shelbyville man has been arrested for his role in an early Monday morning fire that caused injuries and displaced people from their homes.

Zachary Tyler Smothers, 21, faces preliminary charges of arson resulting in bodily injury to person other than defendant. Smothers was booked into the Shelby County Jail about 4 p.m. An initial court date is set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

The Shelbyville Fire Department was dispatched to 845 S Miller Ave about 4:30 a.m. for a report of a structure fire. Multiple apartment units and residential trailers were on fire when crews arrived.
 

The fire department made an initial attack and coordinated search of the structures and evacuated everyone in danger. Ladder 692 was deployed in an aerial defensive attack while engine crews prevented further extension to nearby structures.
 

Two civilian injuries were reported. One person was transported to Major Hospital and another was treated and released on scene.

The initial response included:
Battalion 691
Engine 691
Engine 693
Ladder 692
Medic 691
Medic 692
Medic 693
14 firefighters
 

Secondary response
Tactical 692
Car 691
Car 692
Car 693
10+ off-duty Shelbyville firefighters
 

The total response included 11 pieces of apparatus and an estimated 25 firefighters.

Shelbyville Fire Department Arson Investigators, the Shelbyville Police Department, and the Indiana State Fire Marshals Office investigated throughout the day resulting in the arrest of Smothers.

Fire Chief Brian Tackett commends the firefighters on their hard work and the work of the investigation team.

All residents have been offered assistance through the American Red Cross and Shelbyville Fire Community Navigator Emily Larrison.