Arsonists set multiple fires in Crawford, Neosho counties

A rash of arsons was reported over the Labor Day weekend in Crawford and Neosho counties.

At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Crawford County 911 received a call of a structure fire at 497 S. 40th St., McCune. Upon arrival, a mobile home was found to be fully engulfed. According to the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, there was evidence of accelerants at the scene which helped to determine that the fire was an arson. The property owner, Don DeLange, of Girard, confirmed that the house was vacant at the time of the fire. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office was called to the scene. Osage Township and Walnut Fire Departments responded along with Crawford County EMS and the Crawford County Sheriff's Office.

At about 10:50 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff's Office received a call of another structure fire at 624 S. 60th St., McCune. The property owner, Merlin Hiller of McCune, reported that his grain bin had received extensive damage from a fire. The fire had extinguished itself on arrival and was cool to the touch. The fire was suspicious in nature and is being treated as an arson as well.

The Neosho County Sheriff's Office reported working several fires over the weekend as well. Three structures and hay bales were burnt on Saturday morning.

Due to the close proximity in time and locale, the fires are believed to be related.

The investigation into the fires is continuing. Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact the Crawford County Sheriff's Office at (620) 724-8274 or the Kansas Sate Fire Marshal's Office at (785) 296-3401.