News

Three House Fires Considered Arson
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Police are searching for an arsonist who was to blame for a series of early morning fires that destroyed three vacant homes just outside town limits, officials said Thursday.

The structures, located within 10 to 12 miles of each other, caught fire between 11:30 p.m. and 3 a.m., said Jeff Hill, deputy chief of the Laurel Fire Department. No injuries were reported. In his 26 years with the fire department, he said he only remembers one incident similar to the one that occurred Thursday.

''''About 20 years ago we had a similar situation,'''' he said. ''''But it''s a rare occurrence for something like this to happen.'''' More than 30 firefighters from Blades, Delmar, Gumboro, Laurel, Sharptown and Seaford responded, Hill said. The first fire, located at the intersection of Taylor Mill and Fire Tower roads, was reported at 11:30 p.m. One hour later, firefighters were called to a second blaze at the intersection of Wooten and Trussum Pond roads.

''''The weather was cool and damp and it was an eerie feeling,'''' said Hill, who responded to all three fires. ''''By the time we got the second alarm we wondered what in the world was going on.'''' The third fire, in another vacant home about 7 miles from town on Old Sharptown Road, started about 3 a.m.

Damage estimates are not yet available, but Hill said all three structures were destroyed. Officials do not know who is responsible for setting the fires.

They ask anyone with information to contact the Delaware State Fire Marshal''s Office at 302-856-5600. ''''Everyone should be concerned about these people running around setting fires,''''said W.D. Whaley, a 57-year Laurel resident. ''''We need to keep our eyes out for these characters so we can put them away.''''

Photos by: Stacy Northam-Smith
Story by: Daily Times
You can view more photos at www.fithp.com