(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is accused of setting a fire to a home he was renting.  Karl Creech, 37, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with arson.  In late August, the fire heavily damaged a house in the 300 block of  Niesen Street.

According to court documents, the fire began in the kitchen and arson was determined based on evidence, including a flammable liquid discovered near the oven.

The investigation alleges Creech set the fire because the landlord was suing him for thousands of dollars in damage caused to the home prior to the blaze. 

Police said Creech denied setting the fire.  He could face anywhere from a two to 12 year sentence on the Level 4 felony count.