KENNETT, MO - Police in the southeast Missouri town of Kennett believe they've solved a string of arson fires with the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect.

KAIT-TV says the man confessed to 13 of 16 recent arson fires in Kennett. The suspect's name has not been released. He is jailed pending formal charges.

Police say many of the homes that were burned were owned by the same person, and in each case, copper wire was stripped from the home. Police believe the fires were set to cover up the theft.