Arson suspected in Durham fires that damaged 7 vacant homes. Are they related?
Arson is suspected in fires that damaged seven vacant homes and a chemicals facility this month, Durham Fire Department investigators say.
The abandoned homes all are on neighboring streets just southeast of downtown, located within a half-mile of one another.
- July 2: 1406 E. Pettigrew St. and 305 Amber Place
- July 11: 1502 E. Pettigrew St. and 303 Amber Place
- July 12: 1512 Angier Ave. and 1306 Angier Ave.
“We are currently working with local and state officials to determine if all of the fires are related,” Fire Department spokesman Patrick Brickman said in a news release Wednesday.
The flames pouring from the roof of the Pettigrew Street house the morning of July 11 also damaged the neighboring house. Both were vacant, boarded-up wooden structures. Power was not on at the residences.
Thirty minutes after that fire was reported, the fire department responded to another intentionally set blaze at a chemicals facility down the street, in the 2000 block of East Pettigrew Street. Officials said the small fire was easily extinguished and no hazardous materials were released, though the hazmat team was on the scene.
The Fire Department encouraged anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.
CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.
This story was originally published July 13, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
