SJFD puts out homeless fire in abandoned building in 2100 block of Angelique St.
The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to the 2100 block of Angelique around 10 a.m. Friday after a City of St. Joseph Maintenance employee reported seeing smoke coming from an abandoned building.
Fire Inspector Steve Henrichson said city workers also reported seeing an individual run out of the building.
“It looks like a homeless person was using it as a place to stay and had a little fire they were using to keep warm,” said Henrichson. “There was actually a small fire on a concrete floor.”
Henrichson said he does not believe there was any intent to burn the building down.
“There was gasoline sitting there if they wanted to actually intentionally burn the building they could have done it with other materials,” he said.
The St. Joseph Police Department was also called out to search for the man who ran from the scene. Henrichson said because these types of incidents are more common during the colder months people should make sure their buildings are secure when not occupied.
“Wither the doors are locked, boarding them up just something to keep people from getting into them,” he said. “Leaving the doors unlocked or broken windows is an invitation for people to get into them.”