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Arson Arrest Follows Atchison Fire

By Brian Hagen

05/23/2017

(KAIR)--No injuries are reported following an Atchison residential fire that sent emergency crews rushing to the scene Monday evening.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf says the fire is believed to have been intentionally set, with investigators taking a person of interest into custody. “The investigation has been turned over to the Kansas State Fire Marshall's Office as well as the Atchison Police Department,” Graf said.

He added it's believed the fire at the residence was deliberately set.

“A person of interest has been apprehended,” Graf said.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson identifies the person of interest as 47-year-old Gary Skeen, who now faces a charge of arson in connection with the fire, that Graf says happened at 918 Atchison Street. “The fire itself involved three rooms in the residence: the living room, kitchen and bedroom area,” Graf said. “There was limited structural damage to the home. However, the contents and the rooms themselves sustained some flame damage as well as smoke and heat damage.”

The Atchison Fire Department was assisted at the scene by Atchison Police and Atchison County EMS.

The cause of the fire is not immediately made public as the investigation continues.