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Garage fire deemed suspicious

Several area fire departments were called to the 4300 block of Route Y near Hillsboro Road and Critter Lane in St. Francois County for a garage on fire behind a house.

Big River Fire Chief Dave Pratte said they were called out for a garage fully engulfed in flames at 1 p.m. When they arrived, neighbors reported a vehicle had been at the home prior to the fire.

“It is a house that has been taken back by the bank, so the fire marshal was called and the sheriff’s department deputies were here,” said Pratte. “It is considered a very suspicious fire and it is under investigation.”

It was reported to St. Francois County Central Dispatch that the reporting party saw an older man in a silver car with a black spray-painted trunk and hood leaving at the same time fire started.

“The garage was a total loss and it started to spread towards the house, but we were able to stop it,” said Pratte. “It did end up burning and melting the siding on the home. There are items in the garage, but we don’t know what at this time.”

Big River was assisted by firefighters from Farmington, Goose Creek, Bonne Terre, Lake Timberline, Desloge and the Park Hills Fire Departments.

The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and anyone with any information on the fire or the vehicle leaving the fire is asked to call Central Dispatch at 573-431-3131.

Firefighters extinguished a fire that started in a garage of a home that was just taken back by the bank. The house received some damage as well.</p><p class=

View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com” width=”800″ /> Firefighters extinguished a fire that started in a garage of a home that was just taken back by the bank. The house received some damage as well.

View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com

Several area firefighters are called to a suspicious garage fire.

Several area firefighters are called to a suspicious garage fire.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com

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