House fire believed to be arson; police pursue suspect

Poplar Bluff police and the Missouri State Fire Marshal are actively pursuing a suspect who reportedly admitted setting a fire early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters from the three stations responded to 128 W. McKinley St. at 4:24 a.m. to the structure fire. A crowd of about 20 onlookers also gathered at the scene.

In Capt. Jonathan Miller’s report, light smoke was showing when they arrived. He observed a window, as well as the glass in the back door, were broken. Firefighters didn’t know if the occupant, Austin McIntire, was in the house.

“Flames could be seen in the middle of the house,” Miller said.

Firefighters entered through the front door, attacking the fire and quickly extinguishing it with 50 gallons of water. The crew of eight firefighters conducted primary and secondary searches, but found no one in the structure.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt explained there were burn patterns on the couch and the carpet. The occupant reported the suspect had made threats about burning the house and had stated to other witnesses he had set the house on fire.

Due to the structure being unsecured and reports from witnesses about a man admitting to setting the fire, Battalion Chief Jeff Hale requested an investigator from the Missouri State Fire Marshal. One crew stayed at the scene to secure it and collect information. The first two crews left the scene about 5:30 a.m., with the third leaving at 6:17 a.m. The chief stayed until 7:24 a.m.

Firefighters used the thermal imaging camera and ventilation.

The property owner is Ellen Oxley.

Lt. Josh Stewart of the Poplar Bluff Police Criminal Investigation Division said, the police department’s patrol division is working the arsonist case with the state fire marshal.

Stewart explained, the case is “pretty obvious” arson. No additional information on the suspect was available at press time.