Man, 23, charged with arson in Gloucester fire that killed 3 pets
A fire killed two dogs and a cat, and the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office claims it was intentionally set.
Ta’Kuan Keontay Bingham, 23, of King and Queen County, has been charged with one felony count of burning an occupied dwelling and three counts of felony animal cruelty.
Officials did not say why they think Bingham might have started the blaze, but they said he used to live in the home that was set on fire.
On Jan. 19, fire and rescue personnel and the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12300 block of Beech Trail for “a suspicious residential structure fire.” The fire was outside in front of the home.
Three of the families pets were inside the residence when emergency personnel arrived. Gloucester County Animal Control tried to save the animals, but one dog and one cat were dead at the scene, according to a Facebook post from Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue. A dog was taken to a vet, but the sheriff’s office said the animal also died.
No humans were injured. The fire department said no one was home at the time of the blaze.
After investigating with help from the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, it was determined the fire was intentionally set.
Bingham was arrested Friday “without incident” when investigators recognized him riding as a passenger in a vehicle on Glenns Road.
He is being held in the Gloucester County Jail without bond.
Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com
