Advertisement Nearly 10 years after fatal fire, 2 men now charged in case Share Shares Copy Link Copy

State and local law enforcement officials announced Tuesday that two men have been arrested in an Iowa cold case dating back to 2006.Christopher Joseph Yenger, 28, of Ottumwa, and Zachary Allen Dye, 27, of Council Bluffs, were charged with two counts of felony murder on Monday.DCI Agent Mike Motsinger said new information from interviews alleged the fire was started intentionally by people who were involved in a physical altercation at the home shortly before the fire was discovered. The case was reopened this month."It just goes to show when people think they get away with murder we are always there, always willing to look at things and hopefully everyone is looking over their shoulders because we do take things seriously and take homicides seriously -- and find them," said Motsinger.Authorities said during the interviews they learned the physical altercation took place between an individual at the party and Yenger, and that Yenger was asked to leave the party.FIRST PERSON AT FIRE:KCCI's Marcus McIntosh talked Tuesday to James Lyon, who was the first person on the scene in March 5, 2006."I saw the fire up across there and the further I drove, the more I realized it was a house fire," said Lyon.He said that once on scene he immediately called 911. He would later learn that two men were on the second floor of the home and died in the fire.Lyon said his thoughts are now with the families of Messer and Anderson and he hopes after the pain both families can find closure."Parents not only had to go through it initially, but now they have to go through the whole thing again. That is awful. That is brutal," said Lyon.CASE BACKGROUND:The case involved the deaths of two men in a house fire in rural Wapello County at 11612 140th Street.A party held at the home started around 7 p.m. on March 4, 2006, and had about 20-30 attendees. Authorities said they were all around the age of 21. The party concluded between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on March 5, 2006, said authorities.Investigators said that four people were inside the home when it caught fire about 6:30 a.m. Two of the people died and two made it out OK.Those killed were 20-year-old Nathan Messer and 22-year-old Seth Anderson.Motsinger said that the cause of the fire was undetermined at that time, but was reopened when the new information was learned. Motsinger said anyone with information on the case should contact the Iowa DCI or Wapello Sheriff's Office.Authorities said the families of the victims told them they are devastated by the news.Look for more on this story coming up on KCCI-TV, KCCI.com, our Facebook page, mobile website m.kcci.com and apps.