Arson charges dismissed after witnesses fails to appear

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) – An arson charge has been dismissed against a Bristow man who allegedly tossed a lit cigarette to the ground during a burn ban and started an August 2012 fire that burned 91-square-miles in Creek County and destroyed nearly 400 homes.

The charge against 40-year-old Billy Cloud was dismissed Friday after a prosecutor said two witnesses who were subpoenaed to testify at a preliminary hearing failed to appear.