Arson suspected in East Jackson fire
EAST JACKSON — Police and firefighters are investigating an early morning house fire in East Jackson. Investigators said someone intentionally set the property on fire. “I thought the neighborhood was on fire,” neighbor Jean Broyld said. “The smoke was so thick, and it was so heavy.” Fire damaged a home at the intersection of Ash Street and Arrowhead Street in East Jackson. Investigators said it is arson. Firefighters got the call around 5:40 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department said crews quickly got it under control, but it took about an hour to put out. “Looked like daytime because of, you know, the side of the house was engulfed in flames,” neighbor Markettus Broyld said. Firefighters said the inside of the house sustained smoke, water and fire damage. Markettus said smoke traveled into his home next door. “Inside of our house smells like smoke,” he said. “My clothes smell like smoke.” Investigators said it appears the fire started on the rear left side of the house. Jackson Fire Chief Max Stewart said an investigator will collect samples from the scene then send them to be processed. “There’s just a few things sticking out that make us wonder,” he said. Investigators said the people who lived in the house recently moved out. “I’m very happy that they were not here because that’s the first thing that I thought about was, OK, oh my God, is my neighbor at home?” Broyld said. The fire department confirmed no one was hurt. Jackson police said they have not made any arrests.
