Rick Picard, deputy chief of the Peoria Fire Department, said there have been several suspicious fires in the neighborhood near 83rd and Sweetwater avenues in the last two weeks.PEORIA, AZ (CBS5) -
Firefighters said they believe two cars were intentionally set on fire in the driveway of a Peoria house late Thursday night.
Rick Picard, deputy chief of the Peoria Fire Department, said there have been several suspicious fires in the neighborhood near 83rd and Sweetwater avenues in the past two weeks.
Picard said flames from the two cars endangered a house at 13200 N. 82nd Dr., melting paint and lapping under the eaves of the structure. Picard said all the home's occupants escaped safely over a back wall, but that the incident could have quickly turned tragic.
He said the fires were set at the back of the cars, allowing the suspect a clear path for a getaway.
Picard said the house was still in living condition and the occupants were expected to return early Friday.
He said the series of fires are growing worse with each incident.
Anyone with information about suspicious activities or the fires is asked to call the Peoria Fire Department or Peoria Police Department.
No other information was immediately available.
Stay with cbs5az.com and CBS 5 News as this story develops.
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