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Ogden fire authorities believe arson is behind a series of fires that have burned vacant homes along Keisel Avenue. One home has caught fire three nights in a row.
The home caught fire last night, the night before and the night before that. Each night, crews have been able to get there and put out the flames quickly, but they still have not been able to find the person responsible.
Last night, the fire started just after 10:00. Luckily, the flames stayed on the perimeter of the house.
Wednesday night, however, the flames got close to some tires that authorities say were dumped inside the home. Because of that, firefighters had to use a special foam to put out the flames.
Again, authorities don't know who's setting the fires, but they do think they are a result of arson. "We have major concerns about the arson in this area, and the suspicious fires; and the concern that it could be, you know, most likely is arson. So, we need to see if we can get it stopped," said Ogden's Deputy Fire Chief Chad Tucker said.
Many neighbors have witnessed the fires each night on this street, fire officials have asked them to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.
One neighbor thinks it could be transients trying to stay warm or kids trying to get a reaction. But either way, residents say it needs to stop.
"It could jump to the trees, and there are people living right next door and across the street from the houses catching fire. I'm a little nervous, but I know the fire department is three minutes away. I've been here a couple of times and driven up and seen flames and called 911 myself, and it's like three minutes [and] they're here. So, they're doing a a really great job," neighbor Iain Hueton said.
The homes on this street are all scheduled for demolition to make way for the proposed Renaissance Village, a 200-unit development that will include town homes, lofts, shops and restaurants along the Ogden River.
But many are wondering when the homes will to be. We're hearing that it's going to cost more to tear these homes down now that they have been damaged by fire, but there's word yet on when that could happen.
For now, fire authorities want everyone in this area to be on the lookout. They're asking residents to take pictures on their cell phones if they see anything out of the ordinary, then report it to police.
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