Officials: Apartment Blaze Arson

Lubbock police have arrested a 19 year old man in connection with a massive apartment building fire yesterday that displaced over 60 residents. 

Michael George Bippus was arrested for arson yesterday after fire fighters responded to the Oak Creek Apartments at 5801 22nd Street, right behind Lubbock Christian University.

30 apartments were damaged by the fire which took an hour and 30 minutes to extinguish. Officials say one resident was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter for displaced residents at Bacon Heights Baptist Church located at 54th and Slide. The shelter is in their Family Life Center located behind the church.

Arson of a habitation is a first degree felony with a potential sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years.