Officials declare fire at rock pioneer's property arson

WENTZVILLE, Mo. -- A fire that destroyed a building on legendary musician Chuck Berry's property was intentionally set, Wentzville fire officials said.

"Now it's a matter of trying to determine who and why," said Austin Worcester, assistant chief for the Wentzville Fire Protection District.

No one was injured in the two-alarm blaze that started around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 20. Berry was out of town.

The building, known as the old Chuck Berry lodge, was located on property about 40 miles outside of St. Louis, near Wentzville. It used to house Berry's visitors, but Worcester said it had been used for storage in recent years. Other buildings on the property were not damaged.

Berry pioneered a musical revolution in rock music with hits like "Maybellene" and "No Particular Place To Go." He is a member of both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame.