Three vacant structures, located within 10 to 12 miles of each other, caught fire between 11:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday of February 21 and 22, according to Jeff Hill, Deputy Chief of the Laurel Fire Department. More than 30 firefighters from Blades, Delmar, Gumboro, Laurel, Sharptown and Seaford responded to the incidents. 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 third fire, in another vacant home about seven 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 and they ask anyone with information to contact the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office at 302-856-5600.
