Springfield fire, police investigate attempted vehicle arson incident

Springfield police and fire divisions are investigating a vehicle fire that was reported Thursday morning as an attempted arson.

Officers responded about 10 a.m. to the 1000 block of East John Street on a report of someone attempting to set a 1966 Buick Skylark on fire, according to a Springfield police report.

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“The caller advised dispatch that he observed an unknown suspect wearing a mask pour lighter fluid on the vehicle and attempted to light it,” the report says. “The suspect then got into the passenger side seat of a gray sport utility vehicle and fled the scene.”

When officers arrived, they found the damaged vehicle parked in front of the apartment.

“There were multiple wooden matches scattered on the ground next to the vehicle,” the report says. Officers “observed a box of wooden matches placed on the trunk. The box of matches was ignited in an attempt to catch the vehicle on fire.”

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The arson attempt was unsuccessful as the box of matches burned out. There was a small burn pattern on the trunk where the box of matches was placed.

No suspect information was available.

Springfield Fire and Police Divisions continue their investigation into this attempted arson incident.

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