A Fort Dodge man has been charged with arson and insurance fraud for allegedly setting his property on fire in October 2022.

According to court records, Bradley Fairl Beahler, 52, allegedly purchased six bottles of cooking oil from Aldi Grocery on Oct. 1, 2022. The next day, he allegedly set fire to a property he owned at 221 L St.

On Tuesday, Beahler was charged with second-degree arson, a Class C felony, and insurance fraud — presenting false information, a Class D felony.

The criminal complaints say that following the fire on Oct. 2, 2022, Beahler’s wife — who did not know that her husband allegedly started the fire intentionally — submitted an insurance claim to County Mutual Insurance Co. for fire damage.

On May 1, Beahler admitted to purchasing the cooking oil, but denied starting the fire, the criminal complaint says. On May 2, he then admitted to intentionally setting the fire.

Beahler also admitted to intentionally starting the fire with the intent to receive financial gain to an investigator from the Iowa Department of Commerce’s Division of Insurance Fraud.

Beahler had his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court on Thursday. He was released after posting a $15,000 surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Webster County Assessor’s records show Beahler has owned 221 L St. since 2014.