Police arrest man in connection with early-morning house fire in Surprise

Police have arrested a man in connection with an early-morning house fire in Surprise on Thursday morning, authorities said.

According to the Surprise Police Department, officers responded to a fire call around 3 a.m. at a home near Greenway Road and Grand Avenue.

The caller had reported that her ex-boyfriend, later identified as 56-year-old Carman Lee Caldwell, was at the home and was “allegedly setting the residence and vehicles on fire,” according to authorities. 

Upon arrival, officers took Caldwell into custody without incident. All residents at the home were safely evacuated, and Surprise Fire-Medical Department personnel put out the fire before spreading. 

Caldwell was later booked into jail on multiple charges, including attempted murder, arson, burglary and endangerment. 

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