Former Bolivar Insulation Employee Bound Over On Arson Charges:

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Richard S. Bumbery (SCSO)

Arson charges have been refiled against a former employee of Bolivar Insulation in connection to a December 2010 fire that caused over a million dollars worth of damage to the Stone County business.

Prosecutor Matt Selby charged Richard S. Bumbery, 47, with first degree arson in December of 2010 for the fire that destroyed the business.  However, those charges were dismissed in May of 2011 and refiled in June of this year.

Bumbery waived his preliminary hearing on June 26th and has been bound over for trial. 

Mark Newsom-SSCFPD

Firefighters dispatched to the blaze at 5:28 a.m. on December 12, 2010, were hampered by brutal winds winds and frigid temperatures as they fought the early morning fire. At one point, the fire was so intense firefighters closed part of Highway OO while they fought the blaze for nearly seven hours.

Selby says Bumbery allegedly admitted to someone that he started the fire and wanted to do even more damage to the business.

Sheriff Richard Hill says investigator's were led to Bumbery after a tipster called the C.O.M.E.T Drug Task Force. The tipster described in detail how Bumberry allegedly started the fire and told them they would find a tool stolen from the business in the mans living room.

Bumbery was arrested on December 15, 2010, when Stone County deputies assisted by the Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant at 51 Sparrow Lane in Galena.
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If Bumbery, who is now living in Arizona, is convicted of first-degree arson he could face a prison sentence of five to fifteen years.

He will be formally arraigned in circuit court on August 7th.