North Ann Street blaze ruled burglary/arson

A fire that gutted the rear of a manufactured home on North Ann Street Wednesday morning has been ruled arson by the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office.

Fire Marshal Ed Paulk said the investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department and a deputy state fire marshal “found evidence that items were removed from the residence before it was set on fire.” The blaze was reported on the 2400 block of North Ann Street just after 7 a.m. Wednesday. Eclectic firefighters reported to the scene to extinguish the fire, saving most of the front portion of the home.