For the sixth time in three weeks, firefighters responded to a suspicious fire Tuesday morning that damaged two south Iowa City businesses resulting in an estimated $30,000 in losses.
Investigators concluded the blaze was intentionally set.
Firefighters responded at 2:39 a.m. to Auto Trim, 620 S. Riverside Drive. The fire originated in a three-sided carport used for storage by the auto accessory business. The flames spread to Auto Trim's main building and to a storage building used by neighboring Linder Tire Service Inc., 632 S. Riverside Drive.
Tuesday's fire occurred slightly more than 24 hours after a blaze caused $25,000 in damage to Iowa Book & Supply Commercial Sales, 804 S. Capitol St. Fire officials estimate the six suspected arsons since April 20 have caused more than $80,000 in damage.
Fire Marshal Roger Jensen declined to comment on the fires. However, he said some tips have been reported to the Iowa Arson Alert Hotline.
"I'm not going to talk about the investigations because there are potential criminal elements here," Jensen said.
