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Updated: Wednesday, June 1 at 2:15 p.m.

The fire that destroyed Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman’s home late Saturday night is still under investigation.

Belle Police Chief Michael Dixon and Fire Marshal Roger Hayes are continuing to look into the fire, but cannot rule out arson.

 
Heitman is suspicious of the fire and believes there could have been foul play.

“The investigators said that there are indications of arson but they cannot determine with the amount of extensive damage what exactly caused it right now,” Heitman said.

Heitman also said there have been some leads in the case.

“There’s been people contacting law enforcement to provide information”, Heitman said.

Sheriff Chris Heitman lived at the home with  his daughter Landry Heitman, and Chad Faulkner.  Sheriff Heitman's residence was a total loss.

The Belle Police Department is sponsoring a barbecue fundraiser for Sheriff Heitman on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Third and Alverado Streets.

There will also be a bake sale Saturday June 4th, at Grace Family Worship Center from 9 a.m. tol 1pm or until items are sold.  
Anyone wishing to assist with the barbecue, bake sale, or make donations, please contact Chief Michael Dixon at 573-859-3535.

Original Story:

The State Fire Marshal’s office and Belle Police Department are investigating a fire in Maries County that destroyed Sheriff Chris Heitman’s home.

Heitman said that while he was running a DWI checkpoint late Saturday night, he received a call from dispatch that his home was on fire.

“I left the checkpoint and responded to my house and it was pretty well destroyed,” Heitman said. “The State Fire Marshal’s office has been out there investigating. They have not determined the cause of fire yet.”

But Heitman has his suspicions as to how the fire started.

“I would personally suspect arson because there was nothing on that would have started the fire that I know of,” he said.

The home was a total loss.

“The loss was well into the hundred thousands,” he said. “I lost everything. My grandma recently passed away and everything she left me with was in there. My daughter’s toys – everything’s gone.”

No one was home at the time of the fire. Anyone with information about the fire can call Roger Hayes at the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (573)751-1745.