In two weeks, four fires burn Prichard

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Three buildings in the downtown area have burned down. This is the seventh major fire in the city in the last month. Fire Chief Mark Treiner said he believes almost all of them were intentionally set.

Treiner said firefighters were called to Wilson Aveune at 3:45 a.m. Monday.

Treiner said it’s unclear where the fire started, but he believes it was a result of arson. Treiner has ruled out a mechanical fire.

“Several of the buildings were open in the back, and we didn't have any utilities there,” said Treiner.

Workers knocked down what was left of the building. Treiner said it wasn’t safe to keep the structure standing.

A co-owner of one of the properties, Sam Williams, tried to salvage from the rubble what he could.

Williams said he and his brother were hoping to open a sports bar this summer. Williams said the he was able to save some equipment, but lost practically everything.

 "We put a lot of money in it for it to go up in smoke,” said Williams.

Williams said he and his brother invested $40,000 into the business, and it took them about 20 years to save.

“You live everyday and see the city you've come up in going down. You want to try to do something to build to back up,” said Williams.

A co-owner of another one of the burned buildings, Jonas Dillard said most of the property is owned by a local bishop, and a church used the building for storage.

"We just believe in God. We thank him, and it's just a day we've got to deal with; we'll get over it,” said Jonas Dillard.

Last week, former Prichard landmark the Harlem Duke burned down. That fire is still under investigation. Fire officials said any information would help.

“Somebody out on the street saw what happened, and those are the people we are looking for to come forward,” said Treiner.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Prichard Fire Department at 453-7817.