Griggsville man arrested after allegedly starting three fires at livestock company during week

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — A Griggsville man was arrested Thursday in connection to a series of fires in Pike County.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Department and Office of the State Fire Marshal executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in the 700 block of North Chandler Street in Griggsville. After the execution of the search warrant, Travis D. McDonald, 37, was arrested on charges of arson and criminal damage to property over $100,000.

Pike County Dispatch received a call at 3:41 a.m. Monday of a structure fire at Lynch’s Livestock, 31539 State Highway 107 in Griggsville. The main building was completely engulfed. The Griggsville Fire Department was dispatched to the scene. The North Pike Fire Department, the Baylis Fire Department, the East Pike Fire Department, the Pittsfield Fire Department and Pike County EMS also were dispatched as requested for mutual aid. 

After the fire was extinguished, it was determined the building was not salvageable. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Division of Arson Investigation was contacted.

Pike County Dispatch received a call at 6:02 a.m. Wednesday of another structure fire at Lynch’s Livestock.  The west building of Lynch’s Livestock was on fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Division of Arson Investigation was contacted.  

Pike County Dispatch received a call at 4:59 a.m. Thursday of a truck tractor semi-trailer that was fully engulfed in flames while parked at Lynch’s Livestock. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Division of Arson Investigation was contacted. 

During the investigation, it was determined McDonald was responsible for setting other fires in prior months in the same area.  

The incident is under investigation. Additional charges are pending.