Dec. 27--SPRINGFIELD -- Officials are investigating whether a burglary sparked the destructive fire of a Springfield residence earlier this month.
Besides missing electronics, jewelry and fur coats, the main cause for concern of homeowner Danny Bain was three missing rifles and a pistol from the living room closet.
"Those are what is important because those can turn deadly," he said.
The fire engulfed the residence of 3735 Avon Road in Springfield on Dec. 5, and the Springfield Police Department and the state Fire Marshal's Office have not yet ruled what caused the fire. Also undetermined is whether an alleged intrusion occurred before or after the blaze; the property's owner reported items missing from the charred remains of the flame-ravaged home.
The Springfield Fire Department attempted to douse the flames through a bedroom window because the doors were locked and windows barred, according to law enforcement reports. Firefighters gained entry to the home and conducted a search to find it empty of residents.
Bain, 57, arrived to his home of 17 years four days after the Dec. 5 blaze, which "destroyed" the structure, he said. Bain said nobody was injured in the fire but claimed it was a direct result of the burglary.
"Even though no one was in the home at the time of the fire, the home was robbed, then set on fire and destroyed," Bain said.
Springfield officials did not say whether they have identified any suspects in the case, but investigators are following up on the complaints of burglary and arson.
Springfield Police Chief Phillip Thorne said an undetermined lapse in time occurred between the fire and the reported burglary.
"We don't know when the burglary could have occurred," Thorne said. "We have a two-day time frame ... but we don't know that it happened immediately before the fire or if the fire was caused during the burglary."
State fire marshal investigators still are trying to determine the fire's cause, and after that is determined, Springfield police will decide whether suspects should be charged and what the charges would be.
"If they determine it was intentionally set, we look to find out who and why," Thorne said.
Bain said he reported serial numbers attached to the missing guns but has not yet heard of them turning up in Bay County.
"It's hard to deal with this during this time of year," he said. "But we want these people caught."
Copyright 2013 - The News Herald, Panama City, Fla.
