Springfield Fire Department arrests suspect in multiple arsons

(From the Springfield Fire Department)

The Springfield Fire Department on Friday presented a case to the Greene County Prosecutor’s office with details associated with multiple arson fires in the area of 620 W. Scott Street, near Franciscan Villa, an affordable housing community.

Beginning in the fall of 2015, a series of fires in this area resulted in the Springfield Fire Marshals launching an investigation into fires that were determined to be suspicious in origin. “The collaboration in the investigative process was instrumental to the successful resolution of this case” said Interim Fire Chief David Pennington, recognizing the assistance the Fire Marshals received from the Springfield Police Department, Greene County Arson Tasks Force, and the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC).

The suspect, Ned Zitting of Springfield, has been charged with six counts of knowingly burning, a Class E Felony, and is currently being held in the Greene County Jail.