Steele police, state fire marshal investigate fire

STEELE, Mo. -- Steele police and the Missouri State Fire Marshall are investigating a Thursday fire as arson.

According to Steele police chief Joe Stanfield, at approximately 2:25 a.m., Steele fire and police departments were dispatched to a structure fire at 502 Wright Street.

When officers arrived, the home was reported to have been in flames.

Two adults and three children safely escaped the fire. The adults reported they awakened up after hearing a loud noise, leading to the discovery of the fire. They woke their three children and evacuated the home.

During the course of the investigation, it appeared the fire may have been deliberately set. It took firefighters about 5 hours to extinguish the blaze.

Stanfield said his department and the state fire marshal are investigating the incident as a criminal case of first-degree arson.

The chief urged anyone with information about the fire to contact his office at 573-695-3411 or the Missouri State Fire Marshal arson hotline at 1-800-392-7766.

The state fire marshal is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved.

The victim's employer also is offering a reward of $10,000 to anyone who can provide information to law enforcement that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist.

Pertinent address:

502 Wright St., Steele, Mo.