A 46-year-old Fenton man is suspected of arson and burglary in connection with a July 1 fire at a four-unit apartment complex in the 300 block of Mount Everest Drive in unincorporated Fenton, said Grand Bissell, spokesman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The building was heavily damaged by the fire, but everyone made it out on their own. No one was seriously hurt, although Rock Township Ambulance District personnel treated a woman at the scene for smoke inhalation, said Assistant Chief Chris Harris of the Saline Valley Fire Protection District.
Bissell said authorities identified the Fenton man as a suspect after multiple witnesses saw him leave the scene of the fire. The man was arrested later the same day by Sunset Hills Police for an outstanding warrant.
The Sheriff’s Office will seek charges against the man for arson and burglary, Bissell said.
Harris said someone who lives in the two-story building called 911 to report the fire. Crews were dispatched at 9:33 a.m., and when firefighters arrived on the scene at 9:38 a.m., they saw smoke coming out of the building.
He said the fire started in a bedroom of a second-floor apartment. One of the four units was vacant, and the Red Cross was called to assist those who lived in the other three units.
Harris said firefighters had the blaze under control in less than an hour, but crews stayed on the scene until 4:38 p.m.
The Fenton, High Ridge, Rock Community and Mehlville fire protection districts helped with the call, he said.