Mayor's trailer catches fire, chief suspects arson

ALORTON, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in the southern Illinois community of Alorton are investigating a fire that destroyed the home of the town's mayor.

Alorton Fire Chief DeMario Douglas said the "suspicious" fire was started early Saturday. By the time fire crews arrived the trailer belonging to Mayor JoAnn Reed was "pretty involved with heavy fire."

It was the second fire to strike the trailer in the past six months.

Reed said she has been living in the home that belonged to her father since his death in March. She wasn't injured by the fire.

Douglas says he has no doubt an accelerant was put to it. The house has no power.

Authorities say the trailer was set afire in December. Reed wasn't at home at the time of that fire.

Alorton is located southeast of St. Louis.