Authorities are treating a Sunday evening fire at an abandoned house as suspicious in nature.
Mitchell Fire Marshal Shannon Sandoval says firefighters arrived within in minutes of the 911 call at 212 West Fourth Avenue. “They did find the fire on a back patio stairway and inside a back entry door,” said Sandoval. “We actually ended up having to break out a window to gain access because there was a fence that was kind of impeding our fire attack.”
He says the investigation ruled out any accidental causes. “And so we did go an deem this fire suspicious…because we do believe there is a human cause to that,” Sandoval said.
Mitchell Police are investigating possible criminal activity regarding the fire and seeking any witnesses and other information.
No one was hurt and the home was turned over to the property owner.