MT. ULLA — A Mt. Ulla has been charged with arson and six counts of felony cruelty to animals after police said that he set fire to a house, injuring two firefighters and killing six pets.

The incident occurred on Thursday, Aug. 1, when emergency communications received a report of a fire at a residence in the 100 block of Indian Springs Drive in Mooresville, according to a release from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. Two firefighters were reportedly injured trying to extinguish the fire, with one requiring transport to the hospital for treatment. The firefighters are expected to recover, according to the release. Six family pets also were reportedly found dead at the scene due to the fire.

The Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire and determined that the fire had been intentionally set, triggering a criminal investigation by the sheriff’s office, according to the release.

During the investigation, deputies reportedly discovered that 54-year-old Eric Donnelle Cherry had been involved in a domestic dispute and had broken a window at the residence during the dispute. Deputies also overheard a telephone conversation where Cherry made multiple threats against the victim, according to the release.

Deputies reportedly subsequently arrested Cherry at his home on Joe Rankin Road in Mt. Ulla and charged him with felony second-degree arson, six counts of felony cruelty to animals and felony arson or other unlawful burning that results in serious injury to a firefighter or emergency medical technician. Cherry was denied bond by Magistrate D. Chambers, according to the release.