March 14, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2002-17) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org VACANT HOUSE BURNS A SECOND TIME Mobile Firefighters, for a second time since January 22, 2002, responded to a fire in a vacant house located at 1303 Adams Street. The fire was reported at approximately 5:33 a.m. on Thursday morning, March 14, 2002. Firefighters arrived on the scene at approximately 5:38 a.m. and reported heavy fire showing from the one-story, wood frame structure. The house located next door at 1305 Adams sustained some exterior damage from the flames and heat. The owner Thomas Caffey told Mobile Fire Investigators that he had boarded up the structure after the first fire but people were still getting inside. According to neighbors drug users have used the vacant house as a refuge and place to do their drugs. The fire appears to have been intentionally set. Fire Officials will petition to have the remainder of the damage structure torn down. No injuries were reported. Engines 3, 8, 14, truck 17, rescue 3 and District 1 Chief Martin Stanley responded. The last fire occurred at this location on January 22, 2002 at approximately 4:46 a.m. The structure was occupied at that time and appeared to have originated on the exterior wall on the rear of the structure and spread into the eaves and attic. No injuries were reported and damage was estimated at approximately $15 thousand. A cause was never determined. ###