Authorities Seeking Information in Polo Arsons, Victim Identified

POLO, MO – The victim of what authorities are calling arson in Caldwell County has been identified as 96-year old Lorene Fickess.

Authorities say Fickess died in the fire that was reported around 8:30 Tuesday morning near Polo. Two other abandoned houses on the same road were also set on fire.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Fickess’ death as a homicide.

A black Ford Escape with dark tinted windows was seen near the scene of each fire. Photos of the suspect vehicle can be seen in this story on our website, northwestmoinfo.com.

An arson fire on Wednesday morning in Lexington is also being investigated with possible connections to the Caldwell County fires. A vehicle matching the one seen at the fires near Polo was also observed on Wednesdays fire in Lexington.

Anyone with information on the vehicle and fires is asked to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department.