Indy Officer's Home Torched, Heavily Damaged
INDIANAPOLIS --
A fire that heavily damaged the home of an Indianapolis police officer early Monday morning was intentionally set, fire investigators said.
The blaze broke out at about 1:15 a.m. in the 8900 block of Chateaugay Drive, Indianapolis fire Capt. Rita Burris said.
Officer Justin Beaton told fire investigators that his wife heard a breaking glass sound in back of the home and looked out to find their deck on fire.
"She yelled for her husband, and they all evacuated the home and called 911," Burris said.
The couple's two children, ages 7 and 2, were also home at the time.
"Justin grabbed the garden hose and began attacking the fire, to no avail," Burris said.
The fire spread to the rest of the house, damaging the interior and the roof. Burris said damage was estimated at $100,000.
Monday afternoon, Indianapolis police issued an e-mail to all officers, urging them to be alert to possible threats.
"It could be that it someone who's unhappy with the police, or it could be specific. We don't know," said Sgt. Linda Jackson. "We're going to look at all these avenues."
Neighbors said a path that leads through a wooded area behind the officer's house could have made for an easy escape route.
"I have seen more kids. My wife saw somebody come peek into her window and look inside. She looked back at them. They just kind of smiled and took off," said Gary Smith. "You feel safer when there's a policeman, and when a police becomes a target, that's not good."
Since the beginning of the year, the Indianapolis Fire Department has investigated 280 arsons. The most common times for fires to be set are between midnight and 3 a.m.
Police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
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