MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Murfreesboro fire investigators have a problem on their hands. There have been three suspicious fires within a weeks time. A law office and even a church have been targeted and now they hope you can help find who is responsible.
"You can actually see through from the parking lot into my office and that whole back portion is charred,” Legal Aid Managing Attorney Andrae Chrismon said.
Client files, computers and other equipment were torched at the non-profit’s North Walnut Street location.
“We help individuals who are in abusive relationships obtain an order of protection, divorce,” he explained. “(We) help individuals who have been denied from unemployment or Families First, Tenncare.”
Last Monday the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department (MFRD) responded to a call at a duplex on Center Point Drive.
“It was just a small amount of fire on the den floor which was extinguished very quickly,” MFRD Spokesperson Ashley McDonald said. “It just looks suspicious so they did call out the Fire Marshals Office.”
The next day, June 9th, there was another fire this time at the Experience Community Church and Mayday Brewery.
“They actually have a shared foyer. In that shared foyer there were some donations bins and they seem to have been set on fire,” McDonald explained. “And there was a gas can also found in that area.”
It’s a clear sign of arson.
“It's possible that the last two are related but we can't confirm or deny that at this point,” she said. “The one at Center Point (Drive) which was the duplex fire doesn't appear to be related in any way.”
For attorney's at the Legal Aid Society, they're used to assisting those in need. Now they're the ones who need help.
“We've been here for more than 40 years,” Chrismon said, “and we intend to stay here to help serve those who are less fortunate.”
There will be a financial reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest. Call Murfreesboro Crime Stoppers at 615-893-STOP.
