Authorities seeking help in arson cases

RED BAY - State and local authorities say they need the public's help with an investigation into a series of September fires that have been ruled arsons.

A car, a building on the school campus and a house were all burned within a week, and authorities say it's likely they are related.

"We believe there is someone who may have seen something but just doesn't realize it could be important to the case," said Red Bay Police Chief Pat Creel. "Whatever they know could be very vital."

Creel said the case has been traced to Sept. 17 when a car belonging to a Red Bay Elementary school teacher was "keyed" and obscene language scratched on it.

"Then on Sept. 19, the car, which was being driven by the owner's mother and later left at a relative's house on Bullard Drive, was burned," Creel said.

He said the car was burned on a Friday night while the teacher's mother was attending a football game at Red Bay High School.

"Also, just prior to the start of the ball game, someone tried to set fire to a building on the school campus," the chief said. "The fire was set near the corner of a building. It didn't burn the building, thankfully, and did very small damage. It never got inside the building, so, basically, (the fire) burned itself out before doing any real damage."

Creel said that on the next Monday night, Sept. 22, the teacher's mother's house on Franklin 124 in the Burnout community was completely destroyed by fire.

"No one was there at the time (of the fire)," Creel said. "In fact, the lady had moved out and was trying to sell the house."

Although forensic testing on the fires has not been completed, authorities say all three have been ruled as deliberately set fires.

Creel said the state Fire Marshal's office was called in and is assisting the investigation.

"We believe that all three incidents are connected," Creel said. "Why? That's what we're still trying to determine. We're asking for the public's help."

Anyone who may have seen something at either site or may know something about the fires is asked to contact Red Bay police at 356-4455, Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 386-8685 or the state Fire Marshal's office arson hotline (800) 654-0775 or their Web site.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.