Investigator says apartment fire was set

The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office determined a small blaze Tuesday night at the Deer Run Apartments was an “incendiary”, or set, fire.

According to Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey the Missouri State Fire Marshall’s office is now investigating the fire as a criminal matter.

Mecey said an off duty police officer was driving past the Deer Run Apartments located at 21 St. Francois Drive and saw flames coming from a downstairs apartment.

The officer called in the fire at 7:56 p.m. The fire department arrived at 8:01 p.m. They had the fire out by 8:10 p.m.

The fire chief said the flames were contained to the one apartment. The renter was not home when firemen arrived. He added that some of the other apartments in the 12 unit building suffered some smoke damage but the occupants were allowed back in afterward.

Farmington firemen was assisted by volunteers from the Doe Run and Wolf Creek fire departments.