Mailbox set on fire at Newton home

It only took Newton firefighters a few minutes to extinguish a mailbox that was lit on fire Monday night. However, determining who destroyed the mailbox, and why, might take much longer.

Firefighters were called to a home on a residential block of East 17th Street North after someone discovered the plastic mailbox was on fire. It only took a water can to put out the fire, which destroyed the mailbox.

Rex Heisdorffer, of the Newton Fire Department, said the remnants of a plastic Gatorade container was found at the scene, and the smell of gasoline was present. The metal post inside the mailbox was not charred, according to a report.

Arson is suspected, but the cause is under investigation. The plastic mailbox was the only one of its type in that immediate area of Newton.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said police were never on scene during the brief moments when NFD was there. No report has been filed.

Newton Fire Marshal Mike Knoll is in charge of investigating all fires in the city. He said it is a federal offense to harm or interfere with the operation of a mailbox or any U.S. mail.

Burdess and Heisdorffer both said they are not aware of similar incidents occurring and do not know why the house would be targeted. There was no other damage to the house and the owners weren’t home at the time.

The house is advertised for sale. Realtor Lisa McKinney said she has checked the rest of the property and found nothing else is amiss.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com