A man has been arrested in connection with an August fire in a downtown Fort Dodge building that has been the site of two significant blazes.

Joshua L. Brown, 43, of Fort Dodge, was arrested by Fort Dodge police Tuesday morning and was charged with reckless use of fire/explosives/destructive devices.

He was arrested in connection with an Aug. 26 fire at 1107 Central Ave.

In the criminal complaint filed against him, officers wrote that Brown did “recklessly endanger the property of 1107 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa, by use of fire resulting in damage to the property.”

Brown made his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court Tuesday morning. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which means the case against him will proceed to arraignment and trial.

Magistrate Brandy R. Lundy released him from custody with no bond.

The fire that investigators say Brown is connected to started on the second floor of the building and spread up through a pipe space to the third floor and eventually to the roof, Fire Chief Matt Price said in August. The fire also spread to a part of the roof of the building next door at 1109 Central Ave.

No one was injured.

That building was also the site of major fire in the early morning hours of Nov. 17, 2024, That fire was on the third floor and caused massive damage to that floor and part of the attic and roof.

Six people were injured in that blaze. Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Porter received the Fire Department’s Award of Valor for a ladder rescue.

That fire was caused by a candle in an apartment that was not supposed to be occupied.