Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

My house caught fire on August 13. I got the call aound 8 p.m. There was a lot of damage to the front of the house and a lot of water and smoke damage. The fire chief said it was lightning. there were 240 reported strikes in the same area that night. I called the insurance company the next day and reported it. On the 15th at 8 a.m. a neighbor called to tell me that the house was burning again. This time it was totally destroyed. The state fire marshal was called and said it looked like arson. I did not live in the house. My sister had been living there for 3 years and had just moved out the Sunday before the fires. I had decided to sell it. I had lived there for 32 years and after my husband passed away, I just couldn't stay there. I live in an apartment in my daughter's basement. I think the insurance company is trying to get out of paying me. They have asked all kinds of questions trying to incriminate me. Also, a member of my family, that I haven't spoken to for years, told the insurance company that the house was in foreclosure. That is a total lie. I have told them I will show them online that I am current with my mortgage payments. I also told them my financial situation. I am not in any kind of financial trouble. I just decided to sell the house because I did not want the upkeep anymore since I am unable to do it because of my health. This family member also told the investigator that I set the fires! She was at the scene both times and the second time she was there before we were. The investigator is meeting with the committee Sept. 7 to give his report. I have asked over and over that if the fires were started, what started them and no one will answer me. I have proof of where I was when both fires were reported. A next door neighbor that reported the first one was right there and saw nothing except the smoke. The investigator says the first fire was arson also but I just can''t believe that. As I said they will not tell me what they have found, if anything. This family member also said I started a car fire 14 years ago. She called the insurance co. back then and after an investigation it was found to be electrical. I just do not know why she hates me so much as to tell all these lies. She told the investigator that her brother could verify that I set the car on fire but when he was questioned about it he refused to sign a statement to that effect. I suppose things are suspicious about the fire but I am worried that they are trying to get out of paying for the loss. I loved that house and lived there a long time. I am an upstanding citizen that has a good reputation. Should I contact an attorney or wait for the committee to decide?

1 Answer from Attorneys

Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Missouri

Looking for something else?