Truck fire being investigated for arson; second fire unrelated </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 3:44 PM on Monday, January 4, 2010

Truck fire being investigated for arson; second fire unrelated

BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
STAFF WRITER

Although two truck fires Sunday morning kept firefighters busy, they are otherwise unrelated. An early morning fire of a Ford pickup truck parked on the Sterling Highway is being investigated for arson while a second fire later that morning of an Alaska State Parks plow truck is believed to be electrical in nature, said Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bob Painter. Both fires were put out safely by HVFD crews and no one was injured.

A 911 caller at 1:48 a.m. reported the fire of a Ford truck parked off the Sterling Highway between Soundview Avenue and West Hill Road. Painter said the truck had been parked for sale off the road. Police suspect the cause of the fire is arson, and the case remains under investigation. Tire and shoe tracks were seen in fresh snow near the burned truck, said Homer Police Chief Mark Robl.

In a second incident at 10:27 a.m., another 911 caller reported an Alaska State Parks truck parked next to a state building was on fire. The truck had been reported to have electrical problems earlier, Painter said, and had lots of equipment connected to the electrical system, such as hazard lights and a snowplow. Police did not see any tracks in the snow or other evidence of arson. The fire started under the hood, Painter said.

Robl said it was only coincidence that the two fires happened on the same day.

Firefighters also investigated a report of a vehicle fire at 1:08 p.m. Dec. 31 near the landfill, but did not find a burning car, Painter said.

City zoning code allows sale of vehicles only in the General Commercial 1 zoning district, and it is against zoning regulations to park and post cars for sale along that stretch of the highway near West Hill Road.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.