Suspicious fire damages vacant duplex

COLUMBIA — Investigators suspect juvenile trespassers started a fire at a vacant duplex Saturday night in south Columbia.

Firefighters with the Boone County Fire Protection District responded at about 6:30 p.m. to the fire at 301 Catherine Drive. A neighbor noticed black smoke coming from the eaves of the duplex and called 911. Firefighters extinguished the fire within minutes, Division Chief Gale Blomenkamp said.

The fire caused an estimated $5,000 of damage, which included personal property people had been storing inside the vacant duplex.

Investigators determined the fire, which began on the floor of the living room, was intentionally set.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department has joined the fire district in investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477.