Arson Arrest
Police Department Press Release
June 5, 2018
June 5, 2018
Released by Lt. B. Henderson
PITTSBURG, KAN. –
On early Tuesday morning, at 2:06 am, June 5, 2018, units from the Pittsburg Fire Department and Pittsburg Police Department responded to a structure fire located in the 100 block of N. Locust St. Upon arrival, officers found a building at this location, owned by Pittcraft Printing, to be fully involved. The Pittsburg Fire Department worked on extinguishing the blaze for several hours, during which one Pittsburg Firefighter received injuries from falling debris. The Firefighter was taken to Via Christi Health, in Pittsburg, for treatment and was later released.
While at the scene, officers made contact with 34-year-old John C. Chambers, a homeless person. Mr. Chambers subsequently confessed to illegally squatting in the Pittcraft Printing building and intentionally setting the fire. He was arrested for Arson of a non-dwelling and Criminal Trespass. Mr. Chambers was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking, and is being held in lieu of a $50,000.00 bond. It is unknown at this time if the structure will be a total loss.
The Pittsburg Police Department would like to ask owners of vacant properties to please routinely inspect their buildings for indications of damage, tampering, trespassing, theft or any other signs of criminal activity. If anything is discovered, please contact your local law enforcement agency to report the matter.
The Pittsburg Police Department and the Pittsburg Fire Department are continuing to investigate this matter. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700, or at our tip line, (620) 231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.