Rochester Man Admits Arson in New Year’s Eve House Fire
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has admitted to an arson charge connected to a house fire on New Year's Eve last year.
Rochester Man Enters Guilty Plea in Arson Case
Twenty-seven-year-old Anukone Jordan Somphanith today entered a guilty plea to a second-degree arson charge during a hearing in Olmsted County Court. The first-degree arson charge contained in the original criminal complaint was dismissed through a plea agreement.
Firefighters Responded on New Year's Eve
According to a court document, the Rochester Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire in the 3600 block of Nottingham Drive Northwest around 10 p.m. on December 31, 2025. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they observed that the front entryway was engulfed in flames and black smoke was pouring from the house.
Man Taken to Hospital After Fire
The charging document indicates that a neighbor told Rochester police that the sole occupant of the residence was in the backyard. That's where Somphanith was found with injuries to his feet and displaying signs of impairment. A statement issued by the Rochester Fire Department about the incident reported that he was transported to St. Marys Hospital to be evaluated for burn injuries.
The criminal complaint says Somphanith provided inconsistent statements to investigators.
Investigators Found Suspicious Burn Marks
An investigation conducted by the fire department found "suspicious burn marks" that indicated two fires had started in an upstairs bedroom of the split-level home, and a gasoline can with fire damage was found in the living room. A separate fire also caused damage to the entryway of the house.
Somphanith is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
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