ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996             TAG: 9601220054
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI

ARSON A LIKELY CAUSE OF FIRE AT TWO HOUSES

A fire that damaged two vacant houses in Southwest Roanoke early Friday apparently was an act of arson.

No one was injured in the blaze, which destroyed one structure and scorched another just after midnight in the 1000 block of Jackson Avenue.

The properties, which sit alongside the 10th Street bridge, recently were purchased by the city and Habitat for Humanity. They were scheduled to be demolished within the next two months, according to Lt. J.W. Percell, assistant fire marshal. They were being used for storage.

Percell said the fire apparently began on the porch of one of the houses. No electrical power was turned on at the houses.

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