More details released in Howard Street fire

From left, Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer, Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson and Curt Seddon, special agent with the Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office, look at the smoldering remnants of the house at 1005 E. Howard St. Creston firefighters responded to the fire around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, and were on scene for about 10 and a-half hours. Anil "Neil" Gurung, 45, has been charged with first-degree arson and assault on a police officer in connection with the blaze.

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

After Creston police officers attempted to serve a search warrant in regard to a reported assault at the residence of Helen “June” Propst and Anil “Neil” Gurung, 1005 E. Howard St., 7:09 a.m. Tuesday, Creston firefighters were called to the scene because of smoke coming from an upper-floor window.

The sole occupant of the house at that time was 45-year-old Gurung, who apparently set the house on fire after he saw officers enter the residence. According to court documents, when officers attempted to go up the stairs where Gurung was standing he threw a red gas can down the stairs toward them and yelled. Officers retreated from the residence, and soon after, smoke could be seen coming from the house.

Because of the volatility of the situation, firefighters were unable to enter the house to extinguish the fire and the house continued to fill with smoke. Approximately 45 minutes later, Gurung exited the house through a second-floor north window and was taken into custody by Creston police without incident. Firefighters then moved in to extinguish the fire.

Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson could be heard explaining that the stairway had been destroyed by fire and firefighters could not access the upper floors from the interior. Using the department’s ladder truck, water was injected through upper windows.

Assault

The assault charge is being investigated by Creston police after Propst, 75, reported she was assaulted by Gurung.

According to court documents including statements by Propst, Gurung was living in the home, owned by Propst, as a caretaker. Approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday Gurung forced Propst from her hospital bed that was located in the living room. Gurung then put tape over her mouth and bound her wrists. Propst reported Gurung had a gas can and threatened to burn all of her clothes, then he pulled a “sabor sword” from under the couch and threatened physical harm. Gurung then told her he had gasoline on the top floor and threatened to detonate it.

Gurung also threatened her and other family members if she contacted the police, according to the document.

Propst reported pain on her ribs and her lung filled with fluid as a result of the assault. In her statement, she also said Gurung had been “acting strange” the past couple of months, his personality completely changed, and he threatened to kill himself about a month ago.

Damage

Firefighters were still on scene of the house fire until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson estimates damages to the house and contents at $100,000, but he said he’s not sure if the house can be salvaged, or if it is a total loss.

After being taken into custody, Gurung was transported to Greater Regional Medical Center and later released back into the custody of police. He is being charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony, and assault of a police officer, a Class D felony. Gurung is being held in the Union County Jail on $25,000 bond with additional charges pending.