Arsonist caught on video

Poplar Bluff fire officials say a warrant is pending for a suspected arsonist wanted in relation to a fire Saturday morning involving a 2009 black Ford Taurus.

Missouri State Fire Marshal investigators have applied to the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney for a warrant to formally charge and arrest an individual, whose name has not been released.

Once Poplar Bluff firefighters responded to the fire at 2:26 a.m. at 511 W. Midland, they learned video footage of the incident was available.

Investigators said being caught on camera setting a fire is the best thing to have in court and cameras go a long way to help in a conviction.

The fire crew observed a vehicle smoking with someone spraying water through the broken back window of the car. Firefighters used the booster line to extinguish the fire with 120 gallons of water.

As firefighters approached the vehicle, the owner said someone had set the vehicle on fire.

She had received a threatening phone call shortly before the car started burning.

After the crew extinguished the fire, the owner approached a firefighter again stating the neighbor had video footage showing a car pull up and a couple of people around the vehicle before it caught fire.

Firefighters contacted the state fire marshal, who instructed them to impound the vehicle.