By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Investigators were called to further look into two weekend fires, one of which has been confirmed as arson.
Deborah Horne with the county fire marshal’s office said arson was to blame for a fire at a vacant house at 206 West Henderson St.
“The fire was set in the back of the structure,” she said.
The fire started Saturday morning just before noon.
The investigation was turned over the to the East Spencer Police Department. Police Chief Floyd Baldo was not at work Wednesday, staff said.
The second fire occurred Saturday morning at an apartment complex on Lafayette Circle, displacing seven families. The fire occurred in the living room of an apartment at 520 Lafayette Circle,
“It’s still under investigation,” said Assistant City Fire Marshal Capt. Doug Stevens.
The apartments were separated by a firewall that kept the fire from spreading, Stevens said.
He estimated the damage at $35,000.
Stevens said Salisbury Police detectives are assisting in the investigation.
“It is a suspicious fire and we are investigating,” said Salisbury Police Lt. Shelia Lingle.
She confirmed the renter was in the apartment at the time of the fire.
The complex is owned by the Salisbury Housing Authority.
Housing Authority Executive Director Sam Foust said the day the fire occurred they were able to put six of the families in a local motel. All of the affected families stayed in the motels for about two nights.
“Four families were able to move back in after two days and two transferred into new apartments and one family remains in the motel,” Foust said.
The contractor is having to put up a new firewall before the family is able to return.
Foust is appreciative of the quick response by the fire department. Fire officials have said the fire was under control within 15 minutes.
He’s also thankful firefighters were able to contain the fire to one apartment.
A couple of apartments near the one that caught fire had smoke odor and electrical issues.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.