Staff Writer

Separate fires this morning destroyed an abandoned house and damaged a community landmark.

The first blaze occurred around 12:20 a.m. on 113 Carson St. Lt. Tony Gregory, City of Union fire commander, said this fire is believed to have been set by the same arsonist who has plagued the area for several years.

According to a report, when Sgt. Larry Robinson and Cpl. Scott Coffer arrived,the house and an outbuilding were engulfed in flames.

“We were there until about 4 a.m.,” Gregory said. “We don't know (if someone set both the house and storage building on fire) or if the fire spread to the outbuilding. The grass was burned, it looked like it might have spread to it.”

Damage was estimated at $15,000.

Chief Sam White said the house was set on fire in back - the door had been kicked in and the house was not hooked up to electricity. He appealed to the public for help in catching the arsonist.

“I am sure as many fires as have been, somebody has an idea or has heard something,” he said. “No matter how insignificant it may seem, we'd like to hear from them. Sooner or later he is going to hurt or kill someone if he isn't stopped. This has been going on for a number of years. Somebody has an idea of who is doing this.”

Public safety officers and volunteer firefighters were called back out again around 7 a.m. when the Dixie Curb Market on 503 South Church St. caught fire. Firefighters from Southside and Monarch departments were called to assist the city.

Gregory said the fire began in the rear of the building in what was possibly a storage area. Firefighters had to break in a door to gain entry. The cause has not been determined but initially is thought to be electrical in nature.

“We haven't been able to tell how much damage there is,” Gregory said. “There is a lot of smoke and heat damage throughout.”