Minnesota Man Charged in Girlfriend’s Fire Death

PONSFORD, Minn. (AP) - A 48-year-old man is charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, who died in a house fire in northern Minnesota.

The Becker County sheriff's office got a call about a house on fire north of Ponsford Monday afternoon.

When deputies arrived they were told that Charles James Jones was at a nearby home. Deputies also were told a person was missing and possibly still in the burning house.

Deputies saw burns on Jones and his clothing and took him into custody. The body of 35-year-old Shalonda Sioux Clark of Ponsford was found in the burned home.

The Ramsey County medical examiner says Clark died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Jones is charged with second-degree intentional murder, second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony, and arson. He remains in jail.