Arson is suspected in a fire which heavily damaged a house in the Arlington community on Friday after investigators seized a gas can from inside, the authorities said.
The house at 10190 Road 3707 is owned by Hilton Boswell, a contractor who was at a job site when the fire occurred, Deputy Sheriff Ralph Sciple, the county fire investigator, said.
Boswell lived alone in the house, he said.
A passerby reported the fire to a neighbor, Rudy Lovern, shortly before 11:30 a.m., Sciple said.
He went inside the house and was able to keep the fire under control until Arlington Fire Department arrived.
"Mr. Lovern put out several small fires inside the house," Sciple said. "There were several different hot spots where you could tell an accelerate had been used, including the living room, bedrooms and utility room. We have several samples of evidence that will be sent to the state crime lab."
Sciple said there was no evidence of any forced entry into the house.
"Mr. Boswell said most of the time he leaves his door unlocked. He had no reason to suspect that anyone would do this," Sciple said.
Pete Adcock, the deputy state fire marshal, was at the house on Monday and concurred the suspected arson, he said.
The house sustained heavy smoke and heat damage.
While investigators have yet to determine a motive, several people were to be questioned, Sciple said.
"There was no sign of a burglary," he said.
Anyone with information about the fire was asked to call the sheriff's office at 601-656-1414.
Neshoba County Emergency Management Director Jeff Mayo said the fire was out except for a few smoldering spots when firefighters arrived.
"The structure went through a flash over and because it was tight it lost oxygen leaving some smoldering areas in the living room and a back utility room," Mayo said.
Mars Hill Fire Department in Winston County also responded along with Central Electric Power Association and the sheriff's department.
The two-story brick house is just off Mississippi 19 north at Arlington.
