Investigators are looking into whether this fire is related to an attempted carjacking about a week ago during which a vehicle was shot up. They tell me the family started staying elsewhere after that, out of fear for their safety.
Arson investigators say the fire Monday night was intentionally set, and that someone poured gas not only outside but inside the home near the corner of Boulder and Hillock Bluff.
"Maybe just a couple of days ago, a family member had tried to rob her and actually shot at her. And apparently, this person came back and tried to burn her house. They put a gas bomb in the back of the house," property manager Carla Henry said.
"I'm surprised," said neighbor Anthonette Diamond. "I'm really surprised. Our neighborhood is really quiet."
Firefighters responded at 1:30am. Upon arrival they found flames coming from the rear of the two-story home. They now say there is extensive damage to the living room area. Neighbors say they saw nothing suspicious in the hours before the fire.
Neighbor Marvin Stafford said, "I'm just speechless to have something like this happen in my neighborhood."
Though no one was home, the fact that investigators believe the blaze was intentionally set is unsettling to those living nearby. Some say they will be making sure to be extra vigilant now to lock their doors, watch their surroundings and set their alarms.
"Kind of mysterious, you know," said Lance, one of the neighbors. "It's normally a quiet neighborhood and we don't see stuff like that."
No arrests have been made in the arson, nor for the carjacking. But investigators are still scouring over evidence. Again, they're not sure if they yet can link the two incidents.
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