Dollar General still closed after arson
Staff writer
Hillsboro’s Dollar General store remains closed and blocked off with caution tape after a Thursday morning arson believed to have been started by a 13-year-old.
By the time firefighters arrived, the fire was merely smoldering, having been put out by fast-thinking customers who grabbed a fire extinguisher to smother the flames.
Hillsboro fire chief Ben Stekettee said the fire obviously was deliberately set.
It started on the clothing aisle and spread to the top of the shelves where diapers are stored.
Stekettee said at least one of the men who put out the fire was from Marion.
Stekettee checked on the customers who put out the fire.
Hillsboro police and the state fire marshal’s office are investigating the blaze.
Assistant Hillsboro police chief Jessey Hiebert said a juvenile was captured on video leaving the area soon after the blaze started. Police have spoken with him and will be speaking with him more after the assistant fire marshal finishes his investigation.