KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- Firefighters in Kannapolis responded to five suspicious fires in September, and Kannapolis Fire Department division chief Tracy Winecoff said that number is high.
"We haven't seen an overall increase in incendiary fires until recently," Winecoff said. "If something to us seems like it was incendiary or it was set ... we call [the police department] in and they follow up on some leads."
Five fires in four buildings are under investigation by the Kannapolis Police Department during September, and at least two homes were vacant when they burned, according to fire incident reports.
The first fire occurred on Sept. 4 at 119 Cline Street and caused $92,440 in damage to the vacant single-family residence. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire conditions, and part of the building later collapsed. The fire is believed to have started in the laundry area.
A total of 41 fire and EMS workers responded to the fire, which is a suspected arson case.
On Sept. 16 at 6:32 p.m., 26 firefighters put out a fire at 835 Richard Ave. that caused $20,000 in damage. It caused significant damage, but Winecoff said the home was not a total loss.
Then on Sept. 20 at 1:00 a.m., the same home burned to the ground. The home was vacant, and police suspect both fires were caused by arson.
On Sept. 21 at 5:40 p.m., 22 responders came to the scene of a fire at the Burger King at 800 N. Cannon Blvd., which is believed to have started in a concealed wall space. The fire caused an unknown amount of damage and is also suspected to have been set intentionally.
Finally, on Sept. 22 at 10:47 p.m., a fire broke out at 3100 N. Main St., causing $27,500 worth of damage. The fire is believed to have started on the porch of the home and is another flagged by firefighters as possible arson case..
No arrests have been made in any of the cases, and Kannapolis Police Department Lt. Terry Spry stressed it's still not clear if the fires were set intentionally, and any evidence gathered will take time to process, but he agreed with Winecoff the fires are unusual.
"For us to be involved with five particular fire investigations, that is high," he said.
He added there is no evidence the fires are related in any way.
Copyright 2012 - Independent Tribune, Concord, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
