Police, firefighters suspect arson in Havre house fire

A fire in an east end residence this week was likely caused by arson, Havre police said Wednesday.

The fire started in a bedroom of a house in the 1600 block of Second Street on Monday morning. It caused extensive smoke damage and displaced the two men who rented the house, Assistant Police Chief George Tate said.

Assistant Fire Chief Tim Ranes called the fire "highly suspicious."

Vandalism to the interior of the house prior to the fire suggests the blaze was not accidental, Tate said.

"There was extensive vandalism done to two of the rooms," Tate said "They basically trashed two of the bedroo...