Steeleville man arrested in connection to fire
<span style="font-weight: 400;">A 29-year-old Steeleville man has been arrested in connection to Tuesday's house fire at 10790 Shawneetown Trail.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a Wednesday news release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Lawrence Richards - who was one of the two occupants of the residence - was taken into custody and transported to the sheriff's office.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Chief Deputy Jarrod Peters stated in the release that charges are pending in connection to the fire, which remains under investigation by the RCSO and State Fire Marshal's office.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">No other information is being released at this time. Steeleville Fire Chief Rich Reitz called the cause of the fire, which was reported at 7:23 a.m., "suspicious."</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoke was seen pouring out of both ends of the structure, which had a metal roof. Steeleville, Chester and Percy fire departments responded to the fire.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Randolph County tax records, the property is owned by Jane Boyd, of Sparta.</span>