April 4, 1980

Officials check out White River fires

       Local authorities are investigating the second suspicious fire in two days in the Woodcreek Terrace subdivision of White River Township. They believe both fires were intentionally set. Today’s fire occurred at 12:30 a.m. on the Donald F. Rector property, 3968 Creekwood Drive. The fire destroyed a tool shed and its contents. The shed was a total loss. Rector told police the shed contained a motorcycle, four bicycles, a mini-bike, a go-cart, and two small engines. Today’s blaze occurred just a few feet from Thursday morning’s henhouse fire in the Richard Jump property. Both lots are adjacent and are bounded on the north by an open field. Jump told a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy he received several threatening phone calls before Thursday morning’s fire. Rector said he said he did not know why anyone would want to burn his shed. “I’ve lived here for two years and we’ve never had any problems like this,” Rector said. Neighbors at the scene did not know of any increased vandalism recently, although many expressed concern about fire safety in the area. “We’ve got the best fire department in the area, but it could be a house next time,” one resident commented. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department and White River Township Fire Department are continuing their investigation. Detective Technician John Price of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department said the department has at least one suspect in the fires, although both incidents are still under investigation.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

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