One arrested after fire destroys home in Grant Beach neighborhood, officials say

One person is in custody after a fire burned a recently foreclosed home in Springfield's Grant Beach neighborhood, officials say. 

Capt. Ron Powell said a man was seen leaving the house at the fire's outset Wednesday afternoon. Powell said the blaze on the 1400 block of West Lynn Street is being investigated as a possible arson.

It was more than 90 degrees in Springfield at the time of the fire Wednesday. One firefighter spoke to paramedics after overheating, said Battalion Chief Kevin Trogdon. 

The house directly west of the fire was damaged, too. Much of the plastic siding facing the fire had melted.

A real estate agent who represents the company who owns the home was at the scene and told a fire marshal that the house had recently been foreclosed on. The realtor said she was present Monday when a resident of the home had to be evicted by sheriff's deputies.

Mike Patrom lives directly across the street from the fire. He said he saw tall flames coming out of the house.

"They were shooting out and up," he said.

Patrom said six months ago his garage and a tree in his backyard were set on fire late one night and it nearly spread to his house.

"And now this," Patrom said, pointing to the burnt out home across the road. "This is a crazy neighborhood, I tell you."