Multiple Merced residents displaced by fire; arson suspected

A series of apparent arson fires Wednesday in south Merced torched an apartment complex and at least three vehicles, authorities reported.

Three vehicles have been burned, and one of those fires spread to an apartment complex near Eight and Canal streets, displacing 14 people from their homes, including six children, battalion fire Chief Billy Alcorn said.

“The American Red Cross was contacted for these families and none of these family members reported to have been injured,” police said in a news release.

No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

Police said it remains unclear whether the three vehicle arson fires were set by the same person.

The apartment fire was reported around 3:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of West Eighth Street. Investigators said a Chevrolet Lumina minivan was parked in the alley and was deliberately set ablaze.

Less than 10 minutes earlier, police and firefighters said, two vehicles – a 2001 GMC Yukon and a 1999 Buick Century – were torched in the 900 block of Canal Street. An apartment complex was evacuated briefly while fire crews extinguished the flames. No residents were displaced, officers said.

Then, just before 5 a.m., two more vehicles were attacked, a 2004 GMC Yukon and a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe, in the 400 block of West 12th Street.

“Fortunately, the owners of these two vehicles were on their way to work when they discovered the fires and were able to put them out before any major damage had been done to either vehicle,” police said in the statement.

Investigators noted similarities in the fires, but stressed that it was too early to say whether they were set by the same person.

No suspect descriptions were released.

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 5:20 AM with the headline "Multiple Merced residents displaced by fire; arson suspected."