June 9, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-28) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org VACANT HOUSE FIRE AT 955 MARYLAND STREET Firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the rear of a two-story, wood frame residential structure located at 955 Maryland Street Friday morning, June 9, 2006. The fire was reported at approximately 8:09 a.m. and when firefighters arrived they reported a small fire at the rear of the structure. The upstairs windows and portions of the bottom windows were boarded up and there were burglar bars on the doors and windows. There were no utilities connected to the structure however there was a sprinkler system in the house that was still working. Fire Investigators determined later that the structure had been vacant for approximately one month. The fire appears to have originated at the back door on a wooden deck. The fire spread up the exterior wall with some extension to the interior just inside the back door. The fire filled the entire structure with smoke. There were no injuries and damage estimate is not available at this time. The cause remains under investigation but appears to be suspicious in nature. Engines 2, 3, 11, truck 4, rescue 3 and District 1 Chief Alex Trenier responded to the fire. ###