A Salem man is accused of intentionally setting fire to a south Salem home before assaulting and attempting to rob a woman at a Salem business.

Ethan S. Thorington, 26, was arrested Monday afternoon following an attempted robbery on Northeast Commercial Street, the Salem Police Department said Tuesday. During interviews with officers, Thorington confessed to the attempted robbery and committing arson at a south Salem home earlier Monday morning.

For the arson, prosecutors are charging him with first-degree arson, strangulation and menacing. He also faces charges of third-degree robbery and fourth-degree assault for the attempted robbery, according to Marion County Circuit Court records.

At 10:17 a.m., neighbors called 911 to report white smoke coming from a residence on the 300 block of

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