The Rayland Fire Chief has been arrested on arson charges in connection with a weekend fire at a Rayland duplex that left a father and son homeless.

We first reported this fire over the weekend when it broke out on Grandview Road in Rayland.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says through a joint investigation with the Ohio State Fire Marshall the Rayland Fire Chief has been charged with arson.

26 year old Jeffrey Morris faces a charge of aggravated arson.

According to Sheriff Abdalla, the fact that one half of the duplex was inhabited will make this case more severe.

Morris is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation right now at a local hospital.

Once that evaluation is complete, he will be transferrred back to the Jefferson County Jail.

No word yet whether Morris will face additional charges.

There have been dozens of fires over the last couple of years that have gone unsolved.

The Sheriff's Department is looking into whether additional charges will be filed against Morris if a connection exists.