BURLINGTON, Iowa — Crews with the Burlington Fire Department responded to three separate fires within a 12-hour period on Tuesday, July 16. Two firefighters sustained injuries during the responses and one of the fires was found to have been intentionally set, leading to the arrest of a juvenile.
The first occurred around 2:42 p.m. in the 100 block of Melrose Court. Officials said they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the property. Its owner was not home at the time and damages are currently being assessed. Three dogs and two cats did not make it out alive.
One Burlington firefighter was injured but no information on their condition was provided by officials. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it is not considered suspicious.
The second fire occurred less than two hours later around 4:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Osborn Street. Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the front of a vacant rental property and flames around the back. Officials said the structure was deemed a total loss. A second firefighter was injured but no information on their condition was given.
Officials determined the Osborn Street fire was intentionally set. According to a press release from the Burlington Fire Department, video surveillance showed a juvenile entering and leaving the building minutes before smoke could be seen coming from it. He was later arrested and charged with arson.
Burlington fire officials say they will release further information on the first two fires as it becomes available.
Shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, Burlington Fire crews were called to help with a third fire in Gulfport, Illinois. A 20-foot by 30-foot metal shop in the 300 block of Scholer Avenue was fully engulfed in flames, according to a press release. It was brought under control by 2:12 a.m. Damages are currently being assessed and no injuries were reported in the fire.
An investigation into the third blaze found that a large tree fell onto a power line that supplied power to the structure. Due to extensive property damage, the area of origin was not identified and the cause remains undetermined. However, it is not considered suspicious.