UPDATE: This story has been updated. Click here to read the latest from White River Now.
The Batesville Fire Department says arson is the suspected cause of three separate structure fires on the west side of the city Saturday.
Two homes — one on Central Avenue, the other on West Morrow — were heavily damaged by fire late Saturday evening. One of the homes, the two-story Monday home on Central, looked to be completely destroyed.
Not long after, authorities were called to another fire when heavy smoke was reported coming from the interior of the former Ozark Furniture/Heasley’s Furniture and Appliances building.
Firefighters from the Batesville Fire Department (BFD) along with the Bethesda, Northside, and Ruddell Hill Volunteer Fire Department were still on Central Avenue late Saturday as a BFD ladder truck was extended over the furniture building. That blaze appeared to be under control at 10 p.m.
There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. Law enforcement officials are investigating the incidents as cases of suspected arson. “There are possibly a few suspects currently being questioned at this time,” the BFD said overnight.
One veteran firefighter said they had not seen such an outbreak of fires in Batesville in their 40 years of experience.
White River Now will have more on this story as it develops.
Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery was at the scene tonight and provided White River Now with the following images and video.
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