PARIS — Police are investigating a fire started in an abandoned building on Oxford Street on Tuesday afternoon as an arson and have a suspect in custody, according to Paris police Sgt. Jeff Lange.

Firefighters from Paris and neighboring towns were called to a derelict single-story building near Kilgore Road shortly after 4 p.m. for a report of smoke coming from the structure. 

According to Paris fire Chief Brad Frost, crews quickly extinguished the fire and there was little damage. No injuries were reported.

Lange said a man suspected of setting the fire is in custody and criminal charges are expected in the case. 

Robin Morey, who lives on Kilgore Road, said she saw a man standing on Oxford Street looking at the house minutes before emergency crews were called to the scene. 

She said the man seemed unsteady and she returned home, concerned to stay in  the area while he was there. She heard the report of a structure fire when she got home and came back to the scene to speak to the police, she said. 

Morey said she has lived in the area for 20 years and the building has been abandoned for at least a decade. 

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