HOUSE FIRE BEING INVESTIGATED

A fire at 131 S. Benton Tuesday night has been classified as a suspicious fire and is still under investigation, fire officials said Wednesday.

Cape Girardeau Assistant Fire Chief Max Jauch said Wednesday that investigators have not classified the fire as an arson, nor will they rule it an accident at this point. Investigators are awaiting test results from materials taken from the house and forwarded to the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab.

Fire officials refused to release information about the origin of the fire within the house or any other information pertinent to the investigation.

The fire was reported to police by neighbors at approximately 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The fire gutted much of the second floor of the two-story residence and caused severe damage to the front porch area.

The home is owned by Sam Egson.