On Monday at about 6:40 p.m., a home and two cars were set ablaze in Estate Smithfield, Frederiksted, in what appeared to be a case of arson, VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson has announced.
According to Jackson, upon receiving the emergency call, VIPD officers were dispatched to the scene, where they found members of the Virgin Islands Fire Service working on extinguishing the fire ravaging the vehicles. Once the vehicle fires were put out, firemen saw smoke coming from the house and realized that the residence was also set ablaze. The firemen moved to extinguish the house fire, too.
While investigations were being conducted, a concerned citizen provided police with the name and description of an individual who was seen lurking in the area of the home prior to the fires. Police conducted a search of the area, however the suspect was not found. Police officers then moved to send out an All Points Bulletin.
Occupants of the residence were not present during the fire, and the home as well as the vehicles were badly damaged.
Fire Service personnel are investigating the incident as arson, while VIPD officers and detectives continue their investigation into the incident.
Anyone with information may call the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 712-6031, 911 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.
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