Fire official: Arson likely cause of Newburg fire

Newburg - Arson is the suspected cause of a fire that broke out this morning in a mobile home in Newburg, eight miles northwest of Grinnell.

Grinell Fire Chief Dan Sicard confirmed on scene that his department believes the fire was purposely set.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department has not named any potential suspects in the case, but department officials on scene said that Chief Deputy Duane Rozendaal would soon authorize the release of more details.

Jasper County dispatch put the call for the fire at 11:30 a.m. today, located at the intersection of Center Street and Palmer Avenue. Grinnell received assistance from Gillman and Kellogg Fire Departments.

Sicard said the home was vacant when the fire began, and no one was injured as a result of the fire.

"The family will be taken care of by the Red Cross, but they've lost everything," he said.

Look for more information in Monday's edition of the Newton Daily News or at newtondailynews.com as information becomes available.