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State investigators discuss fires in Cairo

By Holly Brantley

CAIRO, IL (KFVS) - Will people in Cairo ever find out who's behind more than 50 unsolved suspicious fires dating back to 2007? It's a situation that has city authorities and a community scared and frustrated.

"They burnt my house twice," said one resident. "When I find out I'm going to tell it and they will go to jail."

"It happens real early in the morning or real late at night," said John Cross of Cairo.

We went to the State Fire Marshal's office in Springfield to get some answers.

"Cairo in itself is a problem, yes," said Richard Crum, Division Director. "We are trying our best to solve the fires in Cairo, and hopefully bring someone to justice."

Crum says the situation in Cairo is on the radar of the state office. He says right now they are frustrated too. He says there could be a number of motives and more than one fire bug. Crum says right now they need information and to get that they are going to need the community's help.

"I can't stress enough the importance of community involvement," said Crum.

He says it's easy to figure out how the fire started, but as to who started it that's much more difficult. He says in other communities who have experienced a string of fires, it usually takes a tip from someone that cracks the case. He says it's critical that local departments work with the state investigators assigned to the area.

"I would certainly hope that he is working along side local authorities because it takes a team effort to solve this kind of crime," said Crum.

Investigators say what is going on in Cairo isn't necessarily unique. They say it's happening in other communities like Kinkaid in Christian County.

"In that regard, Cairo is not unique," said Crum. "We are doing the same thing in those communities where we believe fires were intentionally set and we want to find out who's responsible. It's not just another fire. There are a lot of things that are affected because of that fire and that's why all this needs to be taken more seriously."

Above all, people in Cairo say they feel the impact in terms of dollars.

"It cost me $500 just to get the siding put back on my house," said Cross.

So where does Cairo go from here? People and investigators say to stop the flames, it's time to stand together.

If you offer information that leads to an arrest and conviction, you could get a reward.