Thick black smoke billowing from the north end of downtown Belleville caused the 9-1-1 lines to light up at the city’s fire department. Fire crews and police responded to the parking lot at the Clearing House store, at 8 o’clock last evening, where two dumpsters and a pile of trash were set ablaze. No damage was done to the buildings but it could have spread to the adjoining businesses…including the Empire Theatre….if not for the quick work of firefighters. Police are investigating the deliberately set fire.
