Delaware County man set fire in home with 5 children inside

Authorities said that a Delaware County man set a fire in his house while five children were inside. 30-year-old Joseph Pasker of Manchester, was arrested at 1:10 p.m. on Nov. 1 in Petersburg on a warrant charging first-degree arson and five counts of child endangerment. According to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department. Court documents state that deputies responded at 7:56 p.m. July 24 to a structure fire at a residence in Petersburg. Pasker and five children were in the residence at the time of the fire and safely evacuated. The fire was the second blaze that had occurred at the residence within a week, according to documents. The Iowa State Fire Marshal Division investigated the fire and determined that it was intentionally set within the residence. Pasker denied intentionally starting the fire when interviewed by authorities. Court documents state that “various discrepancies in his statement were noted.” A warrant for Pasker’s arrest was issued on Oct. 31. His next court appearance will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19.