Arson Suspected in Fire at Vacant Home
Arson is suspected in a blaze that caused $100,000 damage early Wednesday to a vacant house that had been for sale, authorities said.
Investigators believe that someone deliberately set the fire at the home in the 6400 block of Whippoorwill Street shortly after midnight, said Ventura Fire Battalion Chief Bill Rigg. No one was hurt.
The fire began inside a shed next to the house and quickly spread through a window, Rigg said.
Witnesses in a nearby apartment complex told investigators they saw youths loitering at the time the fire started. The home’s owner, Akitoshi Nguyen, had put the home up for sale and moved most of the furniture out. He and his family were at their new home in Fountain Valley, Rigg said.
More than 20 firefighters helped extinguish the flames by 12:30 p.m.
Damage was estimated at $80,000 to the home and $20,000 for the contents, Rigg said.
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