DeKalb police arrest man in suspected deck arson at Hometown Sports Bar & Grill

DeKALB - DeKalb police have made an arrest in the suspected arson of an outside rear deck at Hometown Sports Bar & Grill downtown, DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd said.

The fire was called in about 6:30 a.m. Friday, DeKalb Fire Chief Jeff McMaster said, and was contained to the deck area on the outside of the local business. No injuries were reported.

“When [firefighters] arrived on scene, their rear deck was consumed by fire,” McMaster said. “Fire personnel were able to pull a handline and extinguish the remainder of the fire. We had personnel enter the restaurant through the front of the building and they were able to search for victims, which none were found.”

McMaster said the business was closed at the time of the fire, and the damage was contained outdoors.

Tom Schmidt, owner of Hometown Sports Bar & Grill, 241 E. Lincoln Highway, said officials are investigating the incident, and his doors remain open for business.

“The fire is currently under investigation,” McMaster said. “I don’t know exactly what ignited the fire, but our fire investigators are working with the police department to determine if this was an arson.”

Byrd said Friday an arrest has been made in the fire, which is being investigated as a suspected arson. Charges are pending for the individual, so police have not yet identified the person arrested.

“He was a person of interest anyway,” Byrd said. “It appears he was known in the city of DeKalb.”