Owensboro Transman Believes He is Victim of Arson

[OWENSBORO, KY] - A Daviess County transsexual man believes his apartment was targeted by an arsonist earlier this week because of his sexual preference.

Owensboro firefighters responded to an 11:30 p.m. CST call for help on Wednesday from Charlie Glenn's apartment. Firefighters found the front of the duplex engulfed in flames, according to the Owensboro Fire Department.

The older home was divided into two apartments, one shared by Glenn, 29, and his nephew. The other apartment was occupied by a woman and her child. Glenn was the only one home at the time of the fire.

Glenn is undergoing hormone treatments and referred to himself as a transsexual. He believes his sexual orientation causes him to be an outcast, which may have triggered an act of violence.

Glenn said he was alone and watching television when he heard glass break in a bedroom. He went to investigate and found the room full of flames.

The cause of the blaze -- which originated in a bedroom -- remains under investigation, said Battalion Chief Steve Leonard, Owensboro fire marshal. Leonard said foul play has not been ruled out.

"We've got some questions about that," Leonard said. "One of the occupants thought he heard something suspicious right before the fire started."