PARMA, Mo. (AP) – Authorities are investigating after fire badly damaged the
police station, city hall and the former mayor’s house in the small southeast
Missouri town of Parma, soon after the new mayor and a council member were sworn into office.
The fires happened Tuesday night in Parma, a town of 700 people. New Madrid
County Sheriff Terry Stevens told KFVS-TV that firefighters were sent first to
former Mayor Tyus Byrd’s home around midnight and then realized that the police
station and city hall also were on fire.
Byrd’s home was destroyed. Officials haven’t said if the two city buildings
are salvageable.
The state fire marshal and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are
investigating. Arson is suspected.
Byrd was defeated in her re-election bid on April 2 by Rufus Lee Williamson
Jr.
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