DELHI, La. (State Fire Marshal’s Office) – Due to information obtained in follow-up interviews, a new warrant was issued for Kenneth Fulford on Friday afternoon.
Investigators said Fulford, a volunteer firefighter for Richland Parish Ward 1 Fire Department, has now admitted to setting the fire at his home to “end his wife’s suffering,” believing she would be unable to escape on her own.
Therefore, the original attempted second-degree murder charge has been upgraded to attempted first-degree murder. Fulford’s wife is medically disabled and had already taken her nightly medication, which leaves her drowsy and disoriented, when Fulford set the fire.
State Fire Marshal investigators were called to assist with determining the cause and origin of the fire early Monday morning, April 16. Investigators located the origin as a bedroom closet on the northern end of the trailer home.
Fulford has also been booked on two new counts of aggravated arson based on his admission that he set two previous house fires while his wife was home.
Additionally, one count of arson with intent to defraud has been tacked on to Fulford’s list of offenses for a vehicle fire in 2016 when he tried to burn a truck because he was “tired of paying the note.”
Fulford’s bond has been increased to $350,000.
Original Story: The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal has arrested a Delhi man for allegedly setting his home on fire.
Kenneth Fulford was booked into the Richland Parish Jail Monday, April 16, for one count of aggravated arson, one count of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of aggravated cruelty to persons with infirmities.
In the early morning hours of April 16, the OSFM was contacted to assist in determining the cause and origin of a fire at a home in the 300 block of Antley Road in Delhi.
Fulford, who is a volunteer firefighter with Richland Parish Ward 1 Fire Department, called the fire in through his department radio. He told investigators he discovered a bedroom on fire after his wife commented she smelled smoke.
Fulford’s wife, who has a medical disability, received third-degree burns on her back when trying to escape the fire. She told investigators Fulford remained outside of the burning home after discovering the fire and only verbally assisted her exit from the home. Mrs. Fulford’s service dog did not make it out of the home and died in the fire.
Investigators discovered the origin of the fire as a front bedroom on the north end of the property.
During an interview, Fulford confessed to setting the fire, but didn’t give a reason. He denied intending any harm toward his wife. An arrest warrant for multiple criminal violations was then obtained for Fulford.
