A string of area fires may be the work of an arsonist.

Three recent fires bear similarities in nature, and officials are asking the public to be vigilant - and to reach out if they have any information.

The first fire occurred on Feb. 21, with the Little Dixie Fire Protection District responding around 9:50 p.m. to the 15000 block of Highway CC in Thompson. Upon arrival, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. The structure had been vacant for some time and there were no utilities in service at the time of the fire.

Around 9:50 p.m. on March 6, Little Dixie responded to another fire, this time to a vacant mobile home in the 2000 block of Audrain Road 233, Centralia, just south of Highway CC. Upon arrival, the structure was found fully engulfed in flames. And again, the structure had been vacant for some time, with no utilities present at the time of the fire.

There’s some definite commonalities between these fires, as well as the third, as Little Dixie responded around 4:20 a.m. to another vacant mobile home. Occurring in the 4400 block of Audrain Road 148, Centralia, the structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on scene. The structure was vacant, with no utilities.

All three fires have been ruled “incendiary”, that is, intentionally set.

Fires under investigation, with Little Dixie Fire Protection District, the Missouri State Fire Marshal Office and the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department collaborating. 

“We are working on a couple of leads,” said Little Dixie fire chief Bill Albus, “but would like the public's help with any information they could provide..”

Officials are asking anyone with information to call the Missouri Arson Hotline at 1-800-39ARSON (1-800-392-7766). There is a reward of up to $5,000 for the information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Calls can also be made to the Audrain County Crime Stopper number at 1-800-392-8477.