September 7, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-60) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE INVESTIGATORS INVESTIGATING INTENTIONAL SET FIRE Mobile firefighters responded to a 911 call to a 9-room boarding house located at 656 Hickory Street on Friday, September 7, 2001. The call was received at approximately 10:10 a.m. and firefighters arrived at approximately 10:15 a.m. reporting smoke coming from the one-story wood frame structure. Firefighters found a small fire in one of the rooms that extended through the wall and into the attic. One occupant, Jake Witherspoon, 53, told Mobile Fire Investigators he was in his room asleep and heard the smoke detector sounding. He advised at first he did not know what the sound was but when he saw some smoke he got up and ran down the hall knocking on doors to alert others that may have been inside. Witherspoon advised he then went next door and asked a neighbor to call 911 and report the fire. Mobile Fire Investigators recovered evidence that would indict that the fire may have been intentionally set. No one has reported anything suspicious. The cause remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at $1,000. No injuries were reported. Engines 2, 8, 14, truck 17, rescue 14 and District 1 Chief Ed Salva responded. ###