Fire investigators say arson is suspected in connection with four separate fires in Burlington that all broke out early this morning, roughly between 3:30 and 4 a.m.
Police Sergeant Joel Larkins says the four fire calls all came in within a few minutes of one another. The first call was a front porch on fire, the second call was for a garage on fire, the third call was for a back porch fire while the fourth call was for another garage fire.
Battalion Fire Chief Matt Trexal voiced his suspicions, given the circumstances. "I’m just guessing but it would have to be some kind of arson-type fire," the chief says.
In the first fire, the porch and the front of the house were fully ablaze. The second call was for a garage and a vehicle, forcing crews to split up and call in extra manpower. The third fire prompted Burlington firefighters to call for "mutual aid" from the West Burlington Fire Department. Minutes later, the fourth fire started out as a garage fire but quickly spread to a house and two garages.
In all, 35 firefighters responded to the four fire reports over the course of just 36 minutes. No injuries are reported. The fires are under investigation.