SAGINAW, Mich.
--
As thousands of volunteers prepare to walk the streets of Saginaw in a community-wide effort to prevent intentionally-set Devils Night and Halloween fires, two east homes went up in flames Thursday morning.
Fire officials said both suspicious fires are being investigated as arson by the Saginaw County Fire Investigative Services.
The first blaze occurred about 1:45 a.m. at an abandoned one-story house on 9th Street. Fire officials said the structure will likely be demolished.
Hours later, firefighters were dispatched to a house fire 21st Street.
A neighbor told WNEM TV5 the homeowner is a contractor who often works overseas.
Arson Watch president, Marcia Rabideau, said the group will have more than 4,000 people patrolling the streets, this in its third year of existence.
Watch: Saginaw Readies For Devil's Night Mischief
During the two-day Halloween period in 2006 more than 40 fires occurred.
Days later the group formed and curbed the number of 2007 arsons in half.
Last year firefighters identified six arsons in Saginaw -- most of them occurring in the wee hours of the morning when police and firefighters began to end patrols.
The Michigan Arson Prevention Committee is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and arson conviction this year.
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