A recent blaze seriously damaged a home in the 3700 block of Hill and Dale Drive in Imperial. The cause of the fire is considered suspicious and is being investigated as possible arson, officials reported.
“Exact cause hasn’t been determined other than to say it’s believed to have been intentionally set. No arrests have been made at this time, but a person of interest has been identified,” Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said Friday, March 24.
The Saline Valley Fire Protection District got a call about the fire at approximately 10:30 p.m. March 20, and when crews arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke and fire, Assistant Chief Chris Harris said.
He said crews brought the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes.
“The residents of the home were not in the home upon arrival at the scene,” he said. “There was significant damage from fire and smoke throughout the structure. The residential structure is not able to be occupied.”
Harris said he does not know if the house can be repaired, and the residents will at least need to find temporary lodging elsewhere.
“There is one homeowner and potentially two other residents,” he said. “The Red Cross was notified to assist.”
Firefighters remained on the scene until about 12:20 a.m. March 21. However, investigators from Saline Valley Fire, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene until approximately 6:30 a.m., Harris said.
“The fire is under investigation and circumstances regarding the fire are considered suspicious,” he said.
Bissell said Friday that the investigation was ongoing.
Other agencies that helped with the call included the Rock Community, High Ridge and Antonia fire protection districts. The Rock Township Ambulance District also responded to the scene, he said.