Man charged with setting structures on fire in Hancock County

A man in Hancock County is accused of setting two structures on fire over the weekend.

Sheriff Ricky Adam said 43-year-old Nicholas Melancon was charged with 2nd degree and 4th degree arson on Saturday. He was taken to Hancock County jail and bond was set at $200,000 on those charges.

Melancon was staying in a trailer near Rocky Hill Dedeaux Road and CC Camp Road in the central part of the county.  He had been locked out of the trailer by the person staying there and is accused of trying to set the trailer on fire with the occupant still inside.

The trailer was next to a barn that was completely destroyed by fire.

Melancon was taken into custody when began beating on the door of a neighbor’s house and they called the sheriff’s department. He also was found with a felony amount of Beth when he was arrested.

Adam said Melancon has a prior arson conviction in the county.