OTTAWA — A fire that occurred in Ottawa early Monday morning and killed two dogs remains under investigation but is being regarded as arson. Two residents of the home at 908 N. Locust St., a 31-year old man and a 46-year old woman, escaped the fire and called 911, said Ottawa police Capt. Adam Weingartner, Patrol Division commander. When firefighters and police arrived, the single-story residence was fully engulfed in fire, he said. “It is fortunate that no one was injured in this fire; the residents acted quickly and escaped without injury when they woke up to find the house on fire,” he said. “The Ottawa Fire Department worked quickly to bring the fire under control and save valuable evidence that will help this investigation.” However, two family dogs died in the fire. Evidence collected at the scene will be analyzed to determine if the fire was intentionally set but in the meantime, the department is investigating the fire as arson, he said. Arson investigators from the Ottawa Fire Department, state fire marshal’s office and the Topeka Fire Department are going over the fire scene. There are no suspects at this time, he said, and the department is asking anyone with information to contact the police department at 785-242-1700 or Franklin County Crime Soppers at 1-888-311-TIPS.
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2:30 p.m.
