Arnold fire chief suggests 'squatters' may have ignited overnight fire

An overnight fire in Arnold may have been started by squatters, according to the city’s fire chief.

Crews were dispatched at 12:27 a.m. Tuesday to the 1600 block of Kenneth Avenue for a report of smoke in the structure, said Arnold Fire Chief Eric Gartley.

Neighbors told firefighters the building was unoccupied, Gartley said, but there were signs of people living there, like the power being on.

When fire crews got to the scene, no one was inside, Gartley said.

“It kind of looked like squatters, but we couldn’t confirm or deny it,” Gartley said.

It took crews about 45 minutes to get the fire under control, he said.

“The fire was mainly contained to a second floor bedroom,” he said.

No injuries were reported.

Arnold firefighters turned the investigation over to the state police fire marshal.

It appeared the fire started on a mattress, Gartley said.