A fire that destroyed two cars and damaged an Estate Smithfield home is being investigated by the V.I. fire and police officials as arson.
According to the V.I. Police Department, the 911 emergency call center received notification at 6:40 p.m. Monday of a vehicle fire in Estate Smithfield and directed officers to the scene.
Upon arrival the officers met members of the V.I. Fire Services in the midst of extinguishing two vehicles that were ablaze.
Once the fire ravaging the vehicles was extinguished, firemen saw smoke coming from the residence and realized that the residence was also on fire and proceeded to extinguish the second blaze.
A neighbor approached the investigating officers and gave them a description and name of an individual who’d been seen lurking in the area of the home prior to the blaze’s start. Police searched the area, but the suspect could not be found. An all-points bulletin was issued for the individual.
The occupants of the residence were not home at the time of the incident. The structure as well as the vehicles sustained severe damage from the blaze, police said.
Fire Service personnel are now investigating the incident as arson, while VIPD officers and detectives continue their investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident can phone the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-340- 712-6031, 911, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477. Information provided will be kept in the strictest confidence.
