Hours after fire ripped two Jefferson County houses overnight, officials are investigating if the fires are suspicious.


Smoldering debris is about all that's left of the two vacant houses along High Street in Smithfield. Fire tore through the homes early Friday morning, just after midnight.

Neighbor Clarence Harris saw said he woke up to the smell of smoke. Then, he said, he couldn't believe what was happening just outside his window.

"It was really involved," Harris said. "I came out and said, 'Oh man! That's really close.' So I got the garden hose and sprayed my house down."

Eleven fire departments and the Tanker Task Force were called in to help battle the flames.

Officials said crews were at the scene until 5:30 a.m. putting out hot spots and making sure the fire was contained.

"It was just quick action and a lot of work by these people that were all involved, and it was something that could have been a real disaster," said Harris.

Neighbors described the fire as intense. It was so intense it brought down power lines and charred a utility pole.

No one was hurt in the fire.

Harris's home, which is only feet away, suffered only some damage, but he said the situation could have been a lot worse.

"It could have got to my house and took everything out. A lot of times I've seen children playing in these vacant houses," said Harris. "Plus, there were animals in them. It needed to be torn down, but not like this."

Smithfield fire officials said it is unclear whether the fire is suspicious, but they said it is possible since there was no electricity in the houses.

The state fire marshal was called to the scene. Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.