Chattanooga man gets 10-year sentence for arson, assault

Allin Street arson / Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for beating his girlfriend and setting their house on fire, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.

The fire department stated that 45-year-old Van Edward Keith III pled guilty to aggravated domestic assault and arson this week.

Van Edward Keith III / Chattanooga Fire Department

Authorities explained that back on June 3, 2022, Keith beat his girlfriend so severely that she was unable to walk. He then set their house on fire while she was still inside. CFD said Keith then left as the home burned.

This happened on the 2100 block of Allin Street in Chattanooga.

CFD said the victim had compound fractures, but she pulled herself out of the burning building and crawled into the street. There, she started screaming for help.

Neighbors then came out to help her and called 911.

Chattanooga firefighters arrived on scene at 5:45 a.m. They saw smoke coming from all the windows, and the front and back doors.

Allin Street arson / Chattanooga Fire Department

While crews extinguished the fire, they say it caused damage to the kitchen and living room. It also caused smoke damage throughout the home.

First responders took the victim to the hospital for treatment. CFD said she faced a long recovery process.

Six days later, on June 9, 2022, investigators identified Keith as the suspect and arrested him.

“The victim told investigators that she was pleased with the outcome of the case and eager to move on after her terrifying ordeal,” CFD added.