(WDRB+WAVE) — A 40-year-old man is facing felony arson and wanton endangerment charges after police said he set a fire and intentionally flooded several floors of a Louisville hotel earlier this summer.
Timothy Hardsaw, of Corydon, Indiana, was arraigned Saturday in Jefferson District Court following an investigation by the Louisville Metro Arson Bureau.
According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred on Friday, June 5, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2735 Crittenden Drive. The Louisville Fire Department responded to an active fire alarm and discovered water cascading down the north stairwell from a standpipe valve on the ninth floor, as well as the odor of smoke on the eighth floor.
During an inspection, officials found a large piece of canvas artwork leaning against a wall near the eighth-floor elevator lobby with soot deposits consistent with contact from a lighter, along with multiple pieces of burned fabric scattered across the floor.
Investigators also discovered that electrical control wiring inside a box on the 10th floor had been altered with several wires disconnected, and a sprinkler pipe had been pulled down from the ceiling. Opening the ninth-floor standpipe valve caused massive amounts of water to flood the stairwell down to the ground level, resulting in catastrophic water damage to the eighth floor.
Property damages were estimated to exceed $100,000. Authorities noted other guests were staying at the hotel during the fire and flooding, creating a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury.
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Hardsaw. On Friday, Sept. 11, authorities served the warrant and transferred Hardsaw into custody at Louisville Metro Corrections from the Harrison County Jail in Indiana. Hardsaw was also served with an outstanding bench warrant stemming from a March traffic citation for driving on a suspended license on Phillips Lane.
Hardsaw is charged with:
- Third-degree arson
- First-degree wanton endangerment
- First-degree criminal mischief
During his arraignment Saturday morning, a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. A judge set bond at $100,000 full cash with conditions that include home incarceration if posted, no possession of fire-starting materials, and an order barring him from returning to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Hardsaw is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Monday, Sept. 21.