9th suspected arson reported
By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Feb. 16, 2001
Arson Task Force members are investigating the Wednesday night suspected arson of another vacant house in Meridian.
The arson is the ninth of its kind in the past two months.
The fire occurred at 1923 33rd Ave. around 9 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing and were able to contain the fire to one room, he said.
Meridian Fire Chief Bunky Partridge offered few details about the blaze, saying it is under investigation. Partridge said he was not even sure in which room the fire began or what method was used to start the blaze.
Partridge also said he could not disclose the name of the owner of the home. Lauderdale County Tax Assessor records indicate the home belongs to Linda H. Cole.
Partridge said he does not believe the Wednesday night fire is related to a rash of arsons in vacant houses during December and January.
Meanwhile, Partridge said Arson Task Force members are nearing an arrest in the rash of December/January vacant house fires.
Members of the task force met Thursday to discuss their progress in investigating those fires, Partridge said.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.