SPRINGFIELD — A four-alarm fire in Springfield is now being investigated as an act of arson.
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The fire was reported in the 1200 block of Kenton Street just before 11 a.m., according to a Springfield Police Division dispatcher.
Springfield Division of Fire Chief Jacob King told News Center 7 on the scene that the fire was at a vacant two-story building owned by the city.
When crews got to the scene, they saw flames coming through the roof of the building. As firefighters fought the flames, part of the building collapsed, and crews went into defensive operations
As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, officials said one firefighter was sent to a local hospital with a heat-related illness.
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King said there were reports of people running from the building and confirmed the fire was being investigated as arson.
“We know it’s suspicious. There’s zero power, zero gas at the facility,” King said. “So we haven’t had any lightning strikes today, so far. So the only intervention we have is a human intervention.”
King also said he believed the building was up for Brownfield Remediation.
The Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) asked residents to be cautious with outdoor activities between the air quality indices and the fire.
They said the air quality index and high humidity level will keep the smoke plume from the fire in the air “for a prolonged period.”
“At this time, CCCHD does not believe that this smoke will cause any additional adverse effects to the air, as residents should already be limiting their time outside due to the extreme weather conditions,” health officials said.
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