Authorities in southeast Iowa say someone set a church on fire this morning near Centerville, while investigators in south-central Iowa have released more information about a fatal house fire earlier this week in Osceola.
Firefighters were called just before two this morning to the Livingston Cemetery Church near Centerville and found the rear and front doors burning. The fire was brought under control by 3:30. The Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office says an arsonist is to blame and a reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Meanwhile, in Osceola, officials are still investigating the cause of a house fire that occurred Monday morning. Thirteen-year-old Caleb Hockel died in the fire. Eight other people were in the home, but escaped unharmed. There were no smoke detectors in the home, which is considered a total loss.