Churdan home fire

A Monday morning fire in Churdan is being investigated as suspicious.

Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams tells Raccoon Valley Radio the Churdan, Jefferson, Scranton and Grand Junction Fire Departments, along with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Churdan Rescue and Greene County Ambulance responded to the call of a residential fire at 802 Sand Street in Churdan at 5:30am. Churdan Fire Chief John McCormick says when they were on scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames and no one was inside the home at the time of the incident. He adds the surrounding homes sustained some heat damage and no one was hurt. The home is owned by Conner Groves.

Sheriff Williams points out that the cause remains under investigation and is considering this to be a suspicious fire. He adds that this is one of two possible arson-related cases from this weekend. He says the other incident happened this past Friday at 8:35pm at 2050 190th Street and that Jefferson, Grand Junction, and Paton Fire Departments, along with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Greene County Ambulance responded. Williams notes a cattle barn and a corn crib was destroyed and no one was home at the time of that incident. According to the Greene County Assessor’s Office, the property is owned by the Boert Family Trust.

Williams says he is working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office on both incidents and he doesn’t suspect either incident is connected. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.