Fire at home involved in woman’s kidnapping case was arson

WINDYVILLE, Mo. (AP) – Investigators have determined that a fire at a home involved in a kidnapping case in southwest Missouri was arson.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal said the fire Oct. 4 at a home between Lebanon and Buffalo was classified as undetermined and criminal.

The house was being rented by 58-year-old James Phelps. He and 56-year-old Timothy Norton, of Lebanon, are charged with kidnapping in the disappearance of Cassidy Rainwater, who has not been seen since July.

The men were arrested after investigators allegedly found pictures of a partially nude Rainwater apparently being held in a cage at the house.

Investigators found explosive devices connected to tripwires at the scene of the fire.