[Press Release] : Columbia fire and police investigators arrest man on suspicion of setting shed on fire

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 874-7557

Columbia fire and police investigators arrest man on suspicion of
setting shed on fire

COLUMBIA, MO (July 15, 2007) - The Columbia Fire Department responded
to a report of a residential structure fire at 913 Garth Ave. on
Saturday, July 14, at 8:23 p.m. Arriving fire crews found a small fire
around the detached garage/shed on the property.

Fire crews knocked down the fire and marked the incident under control
in less then 10 minutes.

Occupants of the house on the property where the garage/shed was
located told fire crews that a man had made threatening comments to them
earlier in the evening. 

A fire investigator was requested to the scene and noticed the smell of
gasoline around the fire scene. After interviewing the residents of the
home, the fire investigator requested the assistance of the Columbia
Police Department. 

Columbia fire and police investigators developed suspect information
that led them to a suspect sitting at a park bench on the northeast
corner of Garth and Sexton. 

They questioned the suspect, Wilford C. Thompson, 57, of 700 North
Garth, Apt. 620. During the questioning, Thompson made incriminating
statements and was arrested by Columbia Police for 2nd degree arson. The
motive appears to be a domestic issue between the residence of 913 Garth
Ave. and the suspect. 

Thompson remains in custody of the Boone County Sheriff's Department in
the Boone County Jail as of Sunday evening. 

No injuries were reported during the fire and damage was confined to
the garage/shed. Damage to the building and contents is estimated at
under $500.

-30-
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