KALONA, Iowa — Authorities are investigating a fire early Sunday that destroyed the abandoned trailer where the body of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage was discovered last March.

Tire tracks leading up to the trailer were found, and investigators said they were looking into the possibility of arson. The fire, which is thought to have started about 12:30 a.m., was reported by a passing motorist.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Kalona, Iowa, volunteer firefighters responded and found that the mobile home was fully engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, Kalona Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Registered sex offender Roger Bentley, 38, of Brandon, was sentenced to life in prison Friday after his conviction last month in the abduction and murder of the Cedar Rapids girl. The trial was moved from Johnson County to Scott County District Court because of extensive pre-trial publicity.

On March 25, 2005, police officials found the girl’s body inside the run-down, abandoned trailer at 4703 Orval Yoder Turnpike SW, which is south of Iowa City.

Authorities following up on a tip from neighbors also found Bentley, who had blood stains on his clothes, at that trailer.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)