Jonathan Estill

An Athens man has been charged with arson for allegedly setting fire to a home occupied by him and his wife but owned by his father-in-law, an official said.

Jonathan Paul Estill, 37, remained in the Limestone County Jail Tuesday evening on a charge of second-degree arson, said Deputy Stephen Young, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. Bond is set at $5,000.

About 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a call about a fire at the one-story brick home on Pine Drive near Jones Road, Young said.

Deputies found firefighters trying to extinguish the flames amid the rain. Estill and his wife were not at home. A neighbor told investigators Estill and his wife were separated and had been arguing late Monday evening, Young said.

An investigation determined deputies had probable cause to arrest Estill and charge him with the felony.

Limestone authorities asked other law enforcement officers in the area to be on the lookout for Estill’s vehicle.

Huntsville police later notified Limestone County dispatchers they were in pursuit of a vehicle with a license plate matching Estill’s. However, the driver of the vehicle eluded them.

Estill turned himself in to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office later Tuesday morning.

The fire

The home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

“When we got there the roof had fallen in — it was fully involved,” said East Limestone Fire Chief Joey Boyd. “It had been burning a little while before we got the call.”

About 11 East Limestone firefighters and one Oak Grove-Thatch firefighter responded, the chief said. Firefighters were on the scene until about 3:30 a.m.

The home is considered a total loss.

“They might salvage a few things on the west end, but I doubt it,” Boyd said.