Suspect faces arson charge in American Furniture fire investigation

ECRU, Miss. (WCBI)- A Pontotoc man faces an arson charge after authorities say he set the fire at American Furniture, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

Authorities say Jason Lee Doss was caught drinking on the job at Delta Furniture and fired on the spot.

A short time later, Doss went to American Furniture to fill out a job application.

Pontotoc County Sheriff Leo Mask says the 30 year old Pontotoc man was still intoxicated, and was asked to come back another day.

That’s when his alleged crime spree began.

“After he put the application in, he went through the plant and set the plant on fire,” said Sheriff Mask.

Sheriff Mask says Doss used a lighter as he set two fires in a warehouse filled with 5,000 pieces of furniture.

Doss allegedly tried to set a fire in a separate building, but it did not ignite.

The warehouse that burned was a total loss, along with all contents.

Firefighters from three counties responded.

They kept the blaze from spreading to a nearby building, and let the fire burn itself out.

Agents from the State Fire Marshal’s office, and the ATF spent part of the day going through the burned out building, searching for clues.

Investigators also interviewed employees and witnesses.

Quick thinking employees are being credited with helping in Doss’ capture and arrest.

Sheriff Mask says American Furniture employees saw Doss running from the plant, after the fire stated.

The employees got in a truck, following Doss as he ran along Highway 15.

He ran into some woods and was captured a short time later.

“The employee was calling us on the phone , calling 911 telling the way the person they were following was going, that’s how we knew where he was at, the employee had visual contact with him, pretty much most of the time,” said Sheriff Mask.

Sheriff Mask says there is no indication Doss was involved in a fire in October at American Furniture.

That fire was ruled arson.

Bond for Doss was set at $100,000.

Company officials say employees could be back at work Monday.

Production lines were not impacted in the latest blaze.