Hot Springs arson fires

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Three fires started within the span of 2 hours Wednesday night have Hot Springs Police and Fire thinking there is an arsonist at work.

The first fire happened at 115 Baber Street, near Albert Pike Road. It started when two cars caught fire next to the house. Ronnie Murray lives next door, he says the fire partially burned his home too.

“I was in bed asleep. My bedroom is 6 to 8 feet from where the car first exploded under the carport,” says Murray.

“There is quite a bit of damage on the south side. The trees were catching on fire, so was the grass. About the time I jumped up and looked out the window, then the second car blew up.”

Murray says he then quickly ran outside.

”I immediately dialed 911, told them I could hear people in the house, said Murray. “It about blew me out of bed, it really did.” Murray says he feels lucky to be alive. “I could have easily been killed by the explosion.

The house is severely damaged. Neighbors say a woman and her six kids live in the home. They are getting help from their church and staying at a fellow church member’s home.

The second fire was a brand new $22,000 boat at Greeson Motor Sports, located 1.5 miles away from Baber Street on Albert Pike Road.

Joe Greeson says he is in shock over the fire. “[I] just couldn’t believe it. You always hate to see something like that. It’s just a headache.

The third fire broke out just two blocks from Baber Street on Freeman Street. Investigators don’t have any suspects in the string of fires. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.