NEMAHA — Three people are facing charges in Sac County after conspiring to start a fire in a corn crib just so one of them, a volunteer firefighter, would have a fire to put out, according to the Sac County Sheriff’s Department.

The fire was reported at 1:28 a.m. Monday at 2531 180th St. in Nemaha.

Nemaha, Early and Sac City volunteer firefighters were called there for a structure fire, which was a corn crib, according to officials.

Sac County sheriff’s deputies also responded.

When firefighters arrived, the corn crib was fully engulfed.

Officials considered the fire suspicious. The corn crib was a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

Then on Wednesday, the Sac County Sheriff’s Department received information about a new member of the Nemaha Fire Department. The firefighter was identified as Brent Mack, 25, of Newell.

Mack was the first reporting party of Monday’s fire.

During the course of the investigation, the Sac County Sheriff’s Department discovered that Mack, along with Alexander James Lilly, 18, of Newell, and a 17-year-old female from Newell, decided to drive around the Nemaha area looking for a place to set a fire, so that Mack could respond and put one out.

According to officials, they found the corn crib at 2531 180th St.

It’s alleged that Mack and Lilly went into the corn crib and attempted to set several fires before using an accelerant on the main level.

Mack then reported the fire and responded to the Nemaha Fire Station, where he waited for fellow firefighters to arrive.

Mack and Lilly were arrested and charged with second-degree arson, a Class C felony.

Mack and Lilly were sent to the Sac County Jail on $10,000 bond.

The 17-year-old female was charged with conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, a Class D felony.

She was referred to juvenile court authorities and released to a parent.

Newell police and Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the investigation.