( Newtown, Ohio ) - Police say a convicted arsonist was taken into custody Thursday afternoon for a Christmas Day fire in the 6600 block of Main Street that killed several animals.

Investigators say that, initially, they thought the fire was accidental, but an anonymous tip led them to investigate 37-year-old Richard Timerding who lived at the home. He's got previous convictions for arson, and Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan says "according to his interview, he was hearing voices to set the fire."

Police have been looking for Timerding since late Thursday morning. They say they have spoken with him, and he's surrendering to Cincinnati Police on charges of aggravated arson and burglary. He was arrested at the Sycamore Hotel on Reading Road.