A man was charged with arson in the first degree early Thursday morning. Joseph Michael Barrese, 33, of Delaware Township allegedly started a fire that caused $40,000 worth of damage to the Redwood Motel in Des Moines, according to the Des Moines Police Department. Des Moines police responded to a report of fire and found a pile of burning mattresses outside the motel and near a detached building. Officials said no occupants of the Redwood Motel appeared to be in danger. However, the motel's laundry building caught on fire, causing the estimated $40,000 in damages. Motel security footage helped identify the suspect, who was staying at the motel at the time the fire started.