ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 10, 1997                 TAG: 9703100072
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON

2 FAMILIES BURNED OUT

Fire investigators are trying to determine what caused a suspicious house fire that left two families homeless at 1714 Melrose Ave. N.W. Saturday morning.

Firefighters arrived at the duplex about 8:20, said Roanoke Fire Lt. Terry King. Residents were inside when the fire started, but escaped unharmed.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Fire Marshal David Deck said it appeared to have been set at the rear of the house. There was no evidence of an accidental ignition.

The exterior wall near the back porch was charred from the ground to the roof. The interior was gutted, and reports estimated about $40,000 in damages.

Owner William Preston said he has spent more than $30,000 on the rental house since he bought it in 1970. He had recently paid off the mortgage, he said.

"It's heavily damaged," said Preston, who owns about five rental units in the city. "I don't know if I'm going to redo that one or go out and redo another one."

A relative said one family was staying at a local inn.

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