Fire crews respond to second fire at Bearfield Road building in two days

UPDATE 6 p.m.: Fire investigators said the cause of the fires at the 4100 block of Bearfield Road are suspicious because the building is vacant.

Sunday night and Monday morning were not the first times the building caught on fire in the past month. Firefighters responded to a fire at the same building May 25.

People in the area told ABC 17 News that they have seen teenagers go in and out of the vacant building, at night, several times in the past.

According to online reports, Boone County deputies have responded to the area at least 12 times between 2014 ad 2016. Most of the reports were larceny or trespassing.

The property used to be a part of the Woodhaven School several years ago. It is privately owned by George Pfenenger.

Weeds and vegetation are growing along the side of the buildings.

The property is not in the Columbia city limit, so Pfenenger is not subjected to the more strict guidelines the city has for keeping up with vacant properties.

Firefighters told ABC 17 News at the scene of the fire Monday morning that the building might not be safe enough for them to work inside.

Fire investigators said they are trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire.

ORIGINAL STORY: Boone County Fire Protection District, Columbia Fire Department and Boone Hospital Center ambulances responded Monday morning to the 4100 block of Bearfield Road in south Columbia for reports of a structure fire.

Less than 24 hours before, investigators were called to a suspicious fire at the same abandoned building.

ABC 17 News has crews on the scene and is working to get more details.