ROGERS, Ark. — Two early morning fires in Rogers are being investigated as arson after happening only a few hours apart and on the same street.
The first fire was reported at 1005 S D St at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 6. Rogers Fire Chief Tom Jenkins says the structure was an outbuilding and was extensively damaged, resulting in a total loss.
The second fire, which occurred at a residence, was reported at 1006 S D St. around 4 a.m. later that morning and incurred extensive damage, according to Jenkins.
Officials say both of the incidents were suspicious and are being investigated as arson. On Monday, Keith Foster with Rogers police confirmed a 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the housefires.
Two people were inside the house at 1006 S D St. at the time of the fire and managed to escape without injuries.
5NEWS spoke with the homeowner of 1005 S D Street. She told our crew that at about 1:30 a.m., her daughter heard someone outside tapping on her window. That person then broke the window, she said.
“At 1:30 we heard the noise on the window, someone broke the window and that’s when we went outside and we saw our shed engulfed, and we called 911,” said Jacqueline Sandoval.
Jacqueline Sandoval says their shed is a total loss but luckily the fire did not spread to their home. Once the fire department got on the scene Sandoval noticed there was an oil can next to her car and that someone poured oil into both of their vehicles.
Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. Around 4:30 they had to call 911 for the second time.
“That’s when my fiancé heard a big boom. He came outside and realized that the neighbor’s house was on fire, so we ran and knocked on the door. The people that were in there, they actually came out through the window,” she said.
Battalion Chief Dusty Qualls says the home has extensive damage and is a total loss, but all people and pets made it out safely.
“It was just ironic we had two fires the same night right across the streets from each other. Yes, it was suspicious. So we did then call in investigators with the Rogers Police Department, their CID units come to the scene and they took control of the scene just so they can investigate it,” he said.
Qualls says the smoke detectors in the family’s house did not go off.
“The son actually woke up the rest of the family, but it's always a good time to check your smoke detectors, check your batteries, make sure everything's operational. And that way you can keep you and your family safe,” he said.
5NEWS will update this article with more information as it is received.
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