FSPD respond quickly to downtown fire

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - Fort Scott Tribune
Rayma Silvers


Firefighters with the Fort Scott Fire Department extinguish flames inside the restrooms located near Heritage Park at First and Main streets Wednesday afternoon. It took the local firefighters less than 25 minutes to put the fire out and clear the scene.
(Rayma Silvers/Tribune

On Wednesday afternoon, with the help of concerned citizens, the Fort Scott Police Department was able to apprehend two juveniles on charges of arson.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the FSPD received a call from a witness informing dispatch the public restrooms located next to Heritage Park at the corner of First and Main streets were on fire.

After arriving on scene, members of the Fort Scott Fire Department detected heavy black smoke coming from the public restroom facilities. According to FSFD Chief Paul Ballou, it did not take firefighters very long to extinguish the flames, which were coming from the men's restroom.

"We had a report of smoke," Ballou said. "The caller thought the roof was on fire. There was pretty heavy black smoke, but there were only flames inside the bathroom. It was pretty smoked up, but both the smoke and the fire are contained."

According to FSPD Lt. Shaun West, after receiving statements from witnesses of the fire, police officers located and brought four young men into the police station for questioning in regards to the fire. Upon completion of the questioning, two of the youth were released and two of the juveniles were charged with arson.

West said as a result of the arson, the structure sustained minimal smoke and water damage. Items inside of the bathroom sustained damage from the fire.

FSPD Chief Ron Puterbaugh said the police department is grateful for the assistance that was provided by local citizens, who helped officers locate and apprehend the suspects believed to have been involved in the arson incident.

"We need the public to be an extra set of eyes and ears to make the city a safe place to live, work and play," Puterbaugh said. "Today that was played out by the alert citizens who gave us the information leading to the arrests of the juveniles who started the fire downtown. The police department is thankful for the help and looks forward to further cooperation between citizens of the community and the police department as we work together to make the community a safe place to live, work and play." In addition, Puterbaugh said any area residents who see questionable activity should feel free to call the local police department at (620) 223-1700.

"We want the public's involvement," Puterbaugh said. "Anytime citizens see suspicious activity they should feel free to call the police department."

According to dispatch records, the incident was phoned in at 2:27 p.m. The first police officer arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m., and the first fire engine arrived on scene at 2:33 p.m. The firefighters cleared the scene at 2:57 p.m.