Several witnesses told police and firefighters they saw a person run from the vacant home on North Jackson Street just before flames were spotted Monday afternoon. One woman from the neighborhood tells us her 12-year-old son was questioned about the fire, but she swears he's innocent.
As their investigation into the cause of the fire continues, firefighters are urging people to stay away from 414 North Jackson, because what's left is extremely dangerous.
The roof and floors in the middle of the house have caved in, and firefighters say a couple of the walls are only being held up by the trees and bushes grown up against them. Albany Police Detectives were taking pictures, and looking for clues.
"So right now the fire is under investigation, but is of a suspicious origin," said Albany Fire Department Battalion Chief Keith Ambrose.
The house is only one block from the fire department headquarters. About 2:45 Monday afternoon a man ran into the fire station yelling that about the fire down the street. Firefighters say it was already out of control.
"When they pulled out of the station they saw heavy black smoke, and actually flames showing from here, a block away," Ambrose said.
Almost 40 Firefighters in sweltering heat poured over 45,000 gallons of water on the home before they put the blaze out.
Scott Dismuke owned the home before the city seized it for unpaid taxes. He says the historic society's demands made it too expensive to repair, so they boarded it up, unable to sell it.
The home has been vacant for more than five years, except for the vagrants that Dismuke and neighbors say frequented it. Investigators say a number of people in the neighborhood reported seeing a person run from the house just before it went up in flames.
Alice Robinson, who lives across the street with her 12-year-old son, came to us protesting that investigators had questioned her son about the fire.
"About 3:00, I smelled smoke. And I seen a man running from the building here, wearing a long sleeved shirt. A dark skinned guy. And I told them that was not my son. My son couldn't set no house like this a fire."
No one has been charged as the arson investigation continues. Firefighters urge people, especially the homeless in that area, to stay clear.
"Because of where it's located at, and the condition of it, if you go in there snooping around you are going to get hurt," Ambrose said.
Firefighters put the loss from the fire at $80,000. Dismuke said he has not heard from city officials about the fire, and only learned about it by watching the news last night. He said as far as he is concerned the city owns the home, since they seized it and tried to sell it on the courthouse steps, but there were no takers.
Albany Police and Fire Department Investigators are asking for tips. If you can help their investigation call CRIMESTOPPERS at 436-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
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What's left at 414 North Jackson is extremely dangerous
The roof and floors in the middle of the house have caved in
The house is only one block from the fire department headquarters
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