Bedford County man accused of setting fire waives charges

BEDFORD – A Bedford County man accused of starting a fire that caused evacuation of 34 guests at a Bedford County Quality Inn on June 27 waived his charges for court Wednesday, a court official said.

Jerry Adams, 56, of Hyndman, faces 35 counts each of aggravated arson, arson endangering persons, and recklessly endangering another person, along with various other charges, including one count each of arson endangering property-reckless endangerment of inhabited buildings, arson-intent to collect insurance, and arson-inhabited building or structure.

Police said Adams started the fire in the men’s pool bathroom on the first floor of the hotel.

They said he used a Meow Mix cat food bag, a road atlas, white Under Armor flip flops, an orange shirt and a lighter to ignite the fire in a garbage can, before fleeing the scene.

Adams’ case has been transferred to Bedford County Court of Common Pleas, but no court date has been set yet, according to court officials.

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