Two homes burned in Prichard overnight

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - Minnie Miller has lived in Prichard 18 years and said she always thought she would stay until recently.

Two abandoned homes in Prichard were engulfed by flames early Thursday morning just behind her house. No one was injured but Miller said power lines were destroyed so now, she’s without a phone line and cable.

Miller said she woke to her neighbor pounding on her door and when she looked out her window, two fires were raging.

“I have two great grand daughters that live with me. I’m scared for them because I woke up but they didn’t wake up,” Miller said.

Prichard Fire Marshal Fred Chambers said in the 28 years he has been there, vacant fires have been an issue for the city.  

 He said the entire City of Prichard has problems with arsonists targeting abandoned houses and buildings but recently, Alabama Village has been a problem area.

“They’ve been doing it every time a house is vacant around here for about three or four months. Somebody goes and sets them on fire they don’t know who it is,” Miller said.

Since January, Chambers said there have been more than 20 intentionally set fires.

There are currently no suspects but Chambers said investigators are following leads and have not ruled anything out yet.

We asked State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk what information the state has gathered thus far but he said no further information can be released due to the criminal investigation.

Paulk said the state has not had much help from the community and that’s something that’s going to be pertinent to the investigation.

“We don’t live there, we’re not there everyday so they need to assist us and provide us with the benefit of their knowledge and let us know what’s going on, point us in the right direction,” Paulk said.

He said these fires are hazardous to the community, people who live near the vacant properties and first responders.

“Fire affects everything that it touches. Nothing is safe with fire. And once you start it, until it’s extinguished, it presents a tremendous hazard,” said Paulk.

If you have any information, call the Arson hotline at 1-800-654-0775.