Festus firefighters found a tent destroyed by fire on April 30 after receiving a call about smoke in the area around unused railroad tracks behind homes in the 800 block of Delmar Avenue. No injuries were reported, Festus Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh said.
“There was one individual there when we arrived,” Broombaugh said. “He told crews that everything he owned was in the tent.”
Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel said officers learned the 35-year-old man had outstanding warrants and they arrested him. The man spent two days in jail before he was released for time served.
“I don’t know what started (the fire),” Broombaugh said. “It was a homeless camp. It was all burned out when we got there.
“That’s right on the border of Festus and Crystal City,” Broombaugh said. “The tent was in the old right-of-way that backs up to the old Shapiro Brothers scrap metal. It’s not active railroad tracks anymore.”
He said Festus Fire got the call about the smoke at 12:41 p.m., and firefighters left the scene at 1:09 p.m.
Broombaugh said the Crystal City Fire Department helped at the scene as firefighters made sure it did not rekindle.