The frightening part of this story is that the fire marshal determined that the fire was definitely arson. The fire was started at the back of the house with an accelerant, probably starter fluid.
The illusive neighbor, Phyllis, has not yet been interviewed by the authorities. (She's the one who is feuding with Jerry and other neighbors and who didn't answer the door when I tried to alert her to the fire and then came to the door saying she was in the shower, but the lights were all off in the house...and then she never came outside during the fire until an ambulance arrived an hour later and hauled her out on a stretcher.) Anyway, the authorities have been unable to contact her. According to Jerry she was home briefly this morning but while Jerry's wife was on the phone with the authorities, Phyllis drove off quickly down the road. "I've never seen her drive so fast." Jerry said.
So, there is an arsonist in our neighborhood...what does that do to property values?
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You do have a crime scene there, with or without a tape. Hope the police is diligent.
ReplyDeleteOooh scary stuff Nana, can't believe a neighbourhood fight could get that bad but I guess they do.
ReplyDeleteI am FASCINATED by this story! I don't live too far from it all (maybe five miles?) so it's very close to home. I've also been a volunteer firefighter for many years, and a wannabe writer, and a lover of good mysteries! What a story. It's tragic, too! From hurt feelings or embarrassment or loss of a business, to arson? It sure is looking like Phyllis is involved. I'm kind of thinking that the fact that she's not yet been interviewed is strong evidence that she might indeed be the focus of the investigation. Police won't usually interview a likely suspect until all available information/evidence is gathered elsewhere first. I doubt she could go anywhere that they couldn't locate her.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, very interesting story.