Iowa City police investigating arson

The Iowa City Police Department is investigating an arson.

Officers were called to 2653 Westwinds Drive Tuesday evening for a report of a fire in an apartment building. Officers learned the fire -- contained to the carpeting on the stairs in the building -- had occurred around 6:30 p.m., but was not reported to police or fire officials.

Further investigation revealed that witnesses saw a teen-aged black boy wearing a blue shirt running from the apartment building shortly before the fire was discovered, police said.

Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the boy that had been seen in the area, and Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 358-8477.

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