Officers with the Dowagiac Police Department are investigating a suspected arson at a duplex on Thickstun Street, a week after police executed a drug-related search warrant at the residence.

According to police, firefighters with the Dowagiac, Wayne Township and Indian Lake Township fire departments were dispatched to the two-unit complex at 309 Thickstun St. at around 6:21 a.m. Monday morning, after receiving a call that smoke was emanating from the building. Crews were able to quickly bring a blaze that emanated from the master bedroom of the vacant north apartment of the structure under control.

A subsequent investigation of the residence by first-responders has police suspecting that arson was the cause of the fire, said Deputy Chief Jarrid Bradford.

“We found evidence that the fire was started intentionally in the north apartment,” Bradford said.

The fire broke out while the occupants of the neighboring unit, a family of four, were still asleep, Bradford said. A person passing by the residence alerted the family the building was on fire after seeing smoke billow from the complex. The two adults and two children, along with their pet dog, were able to flee to safety, though many of their possessions have suffered permanent smoke, fire and water damage due to the incident, the deputy chief said.

“We’re very concerned that someone would set a multiple-unit home on fire, especially while people we’re still living there,” Bradford said.

Eyewitnesses reported that a dark-colored vehicle sped away from the area around the time of the fire, Bradford said. Police are still investigating a possible motive for the suspected arson.

The fire came less than a week after Dowagiac Police and detectives with the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team conducted a search of the same apartment as part of on-going heroin distribution investigation. A woman living in the apartment, 35-year-old Donesia Tucker, was arrested as part of the search, after police discovered several bags of heroin and a small amount of marijuana, as well as evidence that distribution of the two drugs was occurring at the residence.

Tucker has since been arraigned, on charges of delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, maintaining a drug house, and possession of marijuana. She is currently being held in Cass County Jail, with bond set at $50,000, Bradford said.

Four children, ranging in age from 1 to 16 years old, were also discovered at the residence, and were turned over to Child Protective Services.

Officers are particularly concerned with both incidents due to the fact the Thickstun complex is located just across the street from Walter Ward Park, which is one of the most used public spaces in the city, the deputy chief said.

“We don’t want this stuff going on, be it drugs or arson, going on anywhere in the city, especially near children,” Bradford said.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Dowagiac Police Department at (269) 782-9743 or leave an anonymous tip at 1-800-462-9328. Concerned citizens can also stop by the police department at 241 S. Front St. in Dowagiac.