MEEKER I The Meeker Fire and Police departments received two calls of residential fires this past weekend.
The first call, located at 637 10th St., came in to Rio Blanco County Dispatch about 4:55 a.m. on Saturday.
That call was made by townhouse owner Sharon Purkey, who stated she had been at her mother’s house and when she returned home she found the doorknob hot and smoke coming from inside the home.
Meeker Fire Chief Steve Allen and Meeker Police Lt. Phil Stubblefield concluded the fire was suspicious and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arson investigator was notified.
On Sunday, Sharon Purkey turned herself in to Lt. Stubblefield and reportedly admitted to starting the fire.
Purkey was charged with felony arson and turned over to the Rio Blanco County Jail. The investigation is continuing.
The second fire call, located at 856 7th St., came into dispatch at about 11:48 p.m on Sunday.
This fire was also called in by the owner of the house, Ashley Miles.
Investigation of this fire indicated it started in rafters between two floors.
According to the CBI investigation, it appears this fire likely started accidentally due to some faulty wiring.