An inmate at the Daviess County Detention Center (DCDC) has been charged with first-degree arson and 17 counts of first-degree wanton endangerment after allegedly starting a fire inside a housing area on January 6, 2026.
Christopher Katz, 26, reportedly started the fire in Building One, prompting DCDC deputies to respond to a fire alarm around 1:30 p.m. According to officials, deputies found visible smoke and fire and began suppression efforts while evacuating inmates from the area. No inmates or staff were injured, thanks to the quick response by DCDC personnel and the Daviess County Fire Department.
According to a citation report, Katz was housed alone in one of eight cells in the affected area. When staff arrived, they located Katz and extracted him from the cell. The report states that Katz began boasting about starting the fire, which had spread smoke and smoldering embers to other nearby cells. A total of seven other inmates and 10 staff members were placed at risk during the incident.
Deputies used fire extinguishers to suppress the fire, while the Daviess County Fire Department ensured the scene was cleared and no further danger remained.
A deputy who responded to the scene was treated on-site for difficulty breathing due to smoke inhalation. Katz later told deputies he had been experiencing suicidal ideations.
“We commend the DCDC deputies involved for placing themselves in harm’s way to bravely fight the fire and ensure all the inmates were moved to safety,” jailer Art Maglinger said. “The DCDC staff involved operated as a team to address this emergency, which ultimately kept everyone safe and the fire from spreading.”
Officials also thanked the Daviess County Fire Department “for their quick response and assisting us with this emergency.”
