INDIANAPOLIS — Investigators have determined three overnight fires within blocks of each other on Indianapolis' near east side were all intentionally set.
The fires – all at vacant buildings – were reported near the area of East Michigan and North Rural streets between roughly 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19.
No injuries were reported.
Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith said responding crews found heavy fire at all three buildings when they arrived, and the fires were brought under control within roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
It has not been determined if the same person started all three fires.
Anyone with information about these fires should call the Indiana Arson Hotline at 1-800-382-4628 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.
Crews responded to the first fire shortly before 12:20 a.m. in the 300 block of Lasalle Street. Reith said crews received reports that there had previously been squatters inside the building.
The second fire was reported around 3:45 a.m. at a home possibly under construction in the 400 block of Gray Street.
Crews were called to the third fire shortly before 5:30 a.m. near the intersection of North Temple Avenue and East Michigan Street. The building had power, Reith said, but was unoccupied at the time, and it wasn't clear if it was being used for anything.
