When police arrived, they spoke with the Battalion Chief who said they believe the fire could be an arson.
Police also spoke with a woman who said she had been staying in the residence up until last year when the city condemned the home and forced her to vacate, the report stated. The woman said she had not yet moved all her belongings, and also had ongoing issues with squatters staying in the residence as well as people breaking in and stealing her things.
“(The woman) advised (police) neighbors saw a tan SUV and an orange sedan parked out back before the fire,” the report stated.
Tibbetts Avenue
A short time before this, officers were dispatched around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday to the 1200 block of Tibbetts Avenue to assist Springfield Fire to investigate a possible arson, according to a Springfield police report.
When police arrived, they met with the fire lieutenant who said they arrived to the fire already being extinguished but still smoking.
“(The lieutenant) advised the damage was minor and believed to be the result of persons using fireworks outside the residence in the alley way to the south of the home,” the report stated.
Officers also talked to an occupant who said he was at the residence with his children when he heard fireworks hitting the window, the report stated. He said he was in the living room when his son came running downstairs, yelling about smoke coming from outside.
“(The occupant) stated he then looked outside and saw smoke coming from the south side of the home. The juvenile son was then able to get water on the fire and extinguished it prior to the fire department’s arrival,” the report stated.
Mitchell Boulevard
Officers also responded around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday to the 2000 block of Mitchell Boulevard on a report of an arson, according to a Springfield police report.
When police arrived, they spoke with the Springfield Fire Department who said an arson investigator had already been out to the scene.
“Officers were advised that the building appeared to be vacant and that there is no electricity or other utilities that are on at the residence, so it would of been unlikely the fire started due to anything inside the residence,” the report stated.
Officers also spoke with an employee at a business next to the residence who said he was out running an errand and saw the back of the residence on fire when he got back.
No other suspect or witness information was available for any of the incidents, and Springfield Police and Fire Divisions continue their investigations.
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