MASON CITY – Police and fire investigators are looking into a “mischievous” fire that was reported this week at Shalom Tower II in Mason City and led to the evacuation of the building.
NIT was informed by a concerned citizen that “lighter fluid” was sprayed on a door of a dwelling in the Shalom Tower II this week, located at 321 4th Street SE, and then lit with flame.
Mason City fire officials confirmed today to NIT that on September 5, 2017 at 1:31 AM, firefighters responded to a fire alarm at Shalom Tower II.
Fire Marshal Jamey Medlin says “the investigation found charring on an apartment door on the 6th floor. When MCFD units arrived and the fire alarm was sounding and residents were evacuating the building. There was no visible smoke in the building. An apartment door on the 6th floor had charring on it, the cause is undetermined but appeared to be mischievous use of fire. The police department is assisting with the investigation.”
Mason City chief of police Jeff Brinkley tells NIT that “We are working with the fire department on the investigation. We did collect some evidence and the investigation remains open. We would encourage anyone with information to contact our criminal investigation division.”
Citizens in the building are frightened at this time, NIT is told, and are quietly dismayed that nothing seems to be done about possible troublemakers lurking in the building. A meeting is being set at this time to discuss the on-going issues.
