A fire that heavily damaged a vacant house on South Third Street in De Soto on June 29 is being investigated by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and the De Soto Police Department.
De Soto Police Chief Brent Steger said today, July 2, that the fire is considered suspicious and they are looking for a suspect on a bicycle captured by a security camera system in the neighborhood. Anyone with information should contact the police department at 636-586-8891.
“The state fire investigator stated that he was investigating it as a second-degree arson (case),” Steger said. “Evidence was seized at the scene and will be sent to the lab for testing. There was a subject in the area around noon. He can only be described as a white male wearing a high vis(ability) shirt. (He) left south on Third Street on a bike.”
De Soto Rural Fire Chief Tom Fitzgerald said firefighters were called to the 300 block of South Third Street at 6:12 p.m. When firefighters arrived, heavy fire was coming from the front of the home, with smoke throughout.
Fitzgerald said the fire was under control within 30 minutes and no injuries were reported. Steger praised the firefighters for limiting the damage.
The De Soto and Festus fire departments, De Soto Rural, Hematite, Hillsboro and Jefferson R-7 fire protection districts responded to the fire. The Valle Ambulance District also responded. The Big River, Dunklin and St. Clair fire protection districts assisted with other calls.