Arson suspected in 3 house fires in rural Caldwell County that left 1 dead
One person is dead following a string of house fires set in rural Caldwell County this week.
Three fires set Tuesday morning near Polo are believed to be the work of arson, according to a news release from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating.
The first fire was reported at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home near Southwest State Route D and Southwest Colt Drive in rural Polo, according to the sheriff’s office. One victim, whose identify has not yet been made public, was found dead inside the home.
Authorities responded to two more house fires over the next two hours along the same road, State Route D. One was near Southwest Mirabile Drive and the other near State Route HH. Both of the houses were vacant, authorities said.
The investigations are ongoing, but at this time, the sheriff’s office said, it appears all three fires were set intentionally.
Police are looking for a suspect vehicle, which neighbors say was seen near each of the three homes at the time of the fires. It is a dark, 4-door passenger vehicle, potentially a black Dodge Caliber.
The Polo, Cameron, Lathrop, Hamilton, Kingston and Braymer fire departments responded to the blazes. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Clinton, Ray and Clay County Sheriff’s department’s assisted.
Anyone with information on the fires is asked to call the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 816-586-2681.
This story was originally published May 11, 2022 at 7:06 AM.
