Telfair Street house fires were intentionally set

Feb. 25—A series of residential fires on Telfair Street have been ruled as an act of arson.

Augusta firefighters responded to the 100 block of Telfair Street between First and Forsythe streets around 1:45 p.m. Monday and found four homes on fire. Crews said they think the fire started inside a middle home and spread to two neighboring buildings. A fourth house a half-block away was also on fire.

According to the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, the fires were intentionally set using available combustible materials on site and an open flame. All four houses were empty, abandoned, single-story family dwellings that contain no public utilities and were declared total losses.

A bystander was injured after trying to get into a home to look for occupants.

Anyone with information can call State Fire Investigators Unit at 1-800-252-5804.

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