The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible arson attempt at 21 Apartments Monday.
Firefighters discovered a mattress ablaze in an unoccupied third-floor apartment of one of the complex’s four-story buildings about 5:30 a.m. Monday, OCSO Lt. Brett Watson and Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan said.
The burning mattress set off the unit’s sprinkler system, Rosenhan added.
“We got out there but didn’t see anything at first. Finally, one of the guys walking up the stairwell smelled smoke, busted down a door and found it,” he said. “(The sprinkler head) averted a tragedy. Everything worked out as well as it could have, I guess.”
No injuries were reported, but other floors in building experienced water damage.
OCSO is following leads, Watson said, but did not have a suspect identified as of Monday afternoon.
The state fire marshal’s office is assisting with the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact OCSO at 662-323-2421.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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