Suspicious Fire Destroys Vacant VA Home

Sept. 18--PETERSBURG, VA-- All units from the Petersburg fire department responded Sunday to a single-story, single-occupant residential fire that destroyed the structure. There were no injuries reported from the incident.

Petersburg Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Chief Dennis Rubin said that since the home was vacant, there were no utilities connected to the home, and there was no reason to believe there was a recent lightning strike in the area, investigators are treating the incident as "suspicious and under investigation."

The first fire department responders found the home in the 1100 block of St. James Street fully involved with heavy fire throughout the structure.

There was a report of a "vagrant" trapped inside, said Rubin, and firefighters conducted an immediate search inside the home as flames continued to burn. Crews found no one inside.

The fire was quickly knocked down as of 3:53 p.m. and a second search for any one inside also turned up nothing, said Rubin.

Neighbors who witnessed the fire reported smelling smoke and initially thinking someone was cooking something.

Tynesha Chavis, of Petersburg, said she saw flames and saw neighbors using a garden hose to douse flames before the fire department arrived. She went to her sister Tyquisha Chavis' home, located next door, to alert her of the fire.

"At first I thought (Tyquisha) was cooking something," said Tynesha Chavis.

Tyquisha Chavis said she immediately went outside to make sure her vehicle was not in harm's way. She confirmed that the house was abandoned and unoccupied at the time of the fire.

"This is the fourth or fifth time that we've dealt with a vacant house being set on fire," said Rubin. "And now it happens in daylight."

A regional arson task force will be brought in to assist with personnel investigating the scene.

"This is one of those problems we'd like to get resolved sooner rather than later in our community," said Rubin.

All the Petersburg fire companies responded to the scene including four engine companies, one ladder company, the battalion chief and a medical unit. One additional medical unit from Southside Virginia Emergency Crew responded in case a victim was found, said Rubin. Fire Chief Mark A. Milazzo and Rubin were on scene. Petersburg Bureau of Police also responded.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to anonymously report it to Petersburg-Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at 804-861-1212. Tipsters could receive a reward up to $1,000 if information leads to an arrest.

Scott P. Yates may be reached at [email protected] or 804-722-5154.

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