Kansas fire officials say several rural fires were arson

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Fire officials say several rural brush fires set in two Kansas counties were arson. The fires were set Tuesday in Chase and Lyon counties. No one was injured and no buildings were damaged. The Emporia Gazette reports the Kansas Fire Marshal’s office believes the fires are connected and is helping with the investigation. Chase County Sheriff Richard Dorneker said four fires were reported in his county Tuesday morning. He said it’s not clear how those fires were set. Lyon County crews handled at least seven brush fires in Tuesday afternoon and evening, most of them west of Emporia.