UPDATE: Man charged with arson after Mason City fire pleads guilty; receives probation

(ABC 6 News) – A Mason City man accused of setting his room at Econo Lodge Inn and Suites on fire over the summer pleaded guilty to an amended charge of 2nd-degree arson Tuesday, Jan. 16.

According to Iowa court records, Patrick D. Martinson, 48, was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, with 10 years of prison suspended for the duration of his probation.

Martinson was ordered to spend 180 days in an inpatient facility, according to Iowa court records.

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(ABC 6 News) – A Mason City man was charged with 1st-degree arson after a fire at Econo Lodge Inn and Suites Friday.

According to court documents, Patrick D. Martinson, 48, was charged in Cerro Gordo County Court Aug. 25, after allegedly setting fire to combustible material in his room, which damaged his room and the adjoining units.

Court documents specify that the building was occupied by “a large number of guests.”

The criminal complaint alleges that Martinson was accused of arson based on witness accounts, “admission/statements,” and “crime observed by officers.”

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(ABC 6 News) – The Mason City Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 24 5th Street SW Friday morning.

At about 1:37 a.m., fire crews arrived to find smoke coming from an apartment.

According to the MCFD, the building’s sprinkler system contained the fire until crews arrived — but the interior of the apartment received fire, smoke, and water damage with no spread to other units.

The fire’s cause is under investigation.

One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to MCFD, and other building residents were able to return to their apartments.

The scene was cleared at about 4:23 a.m.