Fire torches Prichard home overnight

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - The Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating an early Tuesday morning house fire in Prichard.

At least 10 abandoned homes or businesses have been destroyed this year in Prichard, with little evidence left to help investigators find out what happened.

The city called the State Fire Marshal for assistance.

“We are investigating several fires that are in the Prichard area. We've been working with the City of Prichard for quite some time and trying to get a handle on some fires that are occurring at a regular rate around the city,” said Alabama State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk.

Paulk said his office and Prichard Fire-Recue have had a working partnership for months now. That collaboration began when Prichard experienced a number of suspicious arson fires.

The latest abandoned house fire occurred around 3 a.m. on Tuesday on Marengo Drive, a Prichard neighborhood north of West Turner Road.

Fire crews knocked down flames inside the house, located between Etowah Avenue and Hale Drive.

Firefighters said the house was empty and no injuries were reported.  Smoke continued to billow from the ruins on Tuesday afternoon.

“We've asked that any of the citizens in Prichard that have knowledge of any of the fires that are going on please contact the Arson hotline at 1-800-654-0775. You can remain anonymous. We just need to know what's being seen and heard in and around the scene at some of these fires,” said Paulk.

The State Fire Marshal said it has a deputy state fire marshal investigating the fires in Prichard.

“Somebody is setting some fires,” said Paulk, “We have not made any arrests yet, so we haven't identified the proper suspect and developed the evidence on them.”

Prichard Fire-Rescue did not respond to us in time for this report.

To report Arson, click here or  call 1-800-654-0775 (Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office.)