DeKalb Police and Fire Department officials are closing in on the person who allegedly set fire to the basement of a DeKalb townhouse.

A March 18 fire caused nearly $3,500 damage to the basement of Old Orchard Townhouse #9, 1001 W. Lincoln Hwy., including a mattress, box spring and considerable smoke damage. No other townhouses were damaged and no one was injured.

The investigation, which is still underway, was given to DeKalb Police because of the criminal charges, said DeKalb Fire Lt. Bill Kalal. The working charge is criminal damage to property, he said.

“We do have a good suspect, but it’s not a local person,” said DeKalb Police Det. Bill Thomspon. “We’re having a hard time coordinating the interview.”

Thompson said arson was suspected since the outset because investigators had little evidence as to what started the blaze.

Arson and criminal damage are not the same thing, he said. “Arson has to prove more things and has a higher penalty,” he said but could not comment on the exact penalties.

Fire Department Lt. Stanley Croom, who is investigating the incident, was unavailable for comment.