Two house fires that occurred within a two-day period last month in Eupora, including one that resulted in a man's death, remain under investigation.
Police Chief Gregg Hunter gave an update on the investigations during department head reports at the March 4 meeting of the Board of Aldermen. William
The fires occurred at 191 Westwood Drive on Feb. 14 and at 124 Hill St. on Feb. 15, both in the early morning hours. William "Foots" Ford, 86, died in the Westwood Drive fire, which Fire Chief Jerry Gary previously said may have originated in the utility room.
In the Hill Street fire, firefighters found a door facing burning when they arrived and extinguished the fire at that house.
Hunter told aldermen last week that the Hill Street fire had been ruled an arson. Terry Wills, owner of the rental house, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for that fire.
Hunter said he had met with the state fire marshal's office and county fire investigators about the fires, and that the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation had been requested to help with the investigations of both.
Evidence has been gathered and sent to the state Crime Lab, according to Hunter, and he said both fires remain under investigation.
Maben man
dies in fire
The Associated Press
MABEN - A 66-year-old Maben man is dead and firefighters believe a heater may have caused the fire in which he died.
The body of Charlie "Bojangles" Anderson Jr. was found March 4 in the front room of his mobile home.
Oktibbeha County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan said the state fire marshal's office has joined the investigation.
Rosenhan said Maben volunteer firefighters were dispatched to Anderson's mobile home, but could not get inside because of the flames. He said Mathiston volunteer firefighters joined in and brought the fire under control.
Graveside services for Anderson were Sunday at Spring Valley Cemetery.
Information from the Starkville Daily News
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