Police investigate arson attempt at Charleston city hall

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Charleston Department of Public Safety is investigating an attempted arson at city hall early Tuesday morning. According to Paul Johnson, Charleston DPS director, someone broke into the city hall just after midnight and attempted to set a fire using some type of chemical. The chemical, he said, was "either a gas-diesel mix or something similar." Authorities also found an open window in the prosecutor's office at the Mississippi County courthouse located next door to city hall, but officials do not believe the courthouse's security was actually breached.