Report: Fire at Missouri Probation and Parole Office was arson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City investigators believe arson was the cause of a March fire at the Missouri Probation and Parole Office.

Firefighters originally responded to the building on March 5 and found there was a fire at the rear of the building, according to a report from the Jefferson City Police Department.

The fire was extinguished, and the damage was limited to the doorway and just inside the doorway, according to the report. The rest of the building had "significant smoke damage."

After looking at surveillance footage, investigators found that someone broke out the back window of the door and sprayed a liquid inside, the report said. The person then stepped out of view of the camera, and a projectile was fired from a flare gun into the building.

The person stepped into the doorway and ignited a fire before leaving the scene, according to the report.

Police found some footprints in the snow outside of the building but could not confirm any DNA evidence at the scene, the report said.

Officers at the Missouri Probation and Parole Office watched the surveillance video and identified seven offenders who they thought could be connected.

After investigating, JCPD officers narrowed down the possible suspect list to two people, and those people were interviewed. No charges have been filed in connection with the case.

ABC 17 News requested the report for the incident in March. The report was returned on Tuesday.