SHELBURN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– The Indiana Fire Marshal is investigating a series of six unexplained fires that have taken place between July 5th and Sep. 15th.
The fires impacted three structures, one camper and one vehicle, according to a spokesperson with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. One structure was set on fire twice. All buildings were vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries have been reported.
Skylar Heidelberg, a lieutenant with the Shelburn Fire and Rescue department, said he was working this past Thursday, when two of the fires occurred an hour apart. He believes it’s fortunate no one has been injured to this point.
“Abandoned houses are one thing, but they’re so close to somebody living right next to it,” he said. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt, and we definitely don’t want any of our guys getting hurt.”
Heidelberg said even just a gust of wind could be enough to cause a fire to spread, and potentially put lives at danger.
“Just depending on where the structure is, just a wind shift, changes right into another direction straight towards a house, you can catch another building on fire, or a car, pretty much anything, within a matter of minutes,” he said.
He said he’s looking forward to when the investigation is finally over.
“I want this to stop,” he said. “I don’t want anybody getting hurt. We’re always putting our guys at risk every time we respond. Not only that, but the public’s safety.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Indiana Arson Hotline, at 1-800-382-4628. Information that leads to an arrest and conviction could lead to a reward.
