Fire started in KC home burglary

Kansas City police are investigating after someone broke into a midtown residence early Wednesday and started a fire in the basement.

Five residents were sleeping inside the house in the 4100 block of Campbell Street when they were awakened after 3 a.m. by smoke alarms and the smell of smoke, according to police reports.

They discovered a pile of clothing and trash on fire in the basement and put it out with a fire extinguisher, police said. No one was injured.

Arson investigators ruled out accidental or natural causes for the fire. Signs of forced entry were discovered, including several window screens cut open, and pieces of a broken back door lock found of the floor.

The residents told officers that they were not aware of any ongoing disputes or troubled relationships.

This story was originally published March 19, 2014 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Fire started in KC home burglary."