Dublin man killed in overnight fire on Grafton Street

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com

DUBLIN (June 10, 2018) – State, county and local fire investigators were on the scene of a house fire in Dublin Sunday morning following a blaze the took the life of a local man.

“We have resources from the state and county investigating,” Fire Chief Paul Warner said. “At this time, we are not prepared to release further information.”

Warner did say the fire was reported by a passerby who had been out hunting and saw the smoke from the fire.

The blaze also damaged the Dublin Family Dentistry & Orthodontics building where the fire burned an entire outside wall and leaked into the attic.

The timing of this fire and three other recent blazes have social media abuzz that there may be a serial arsonist lose in Dublin.

Dublin Fire Marshall CE Malone confirmed, he did have two investigations underway in relation to the fires on Elm and Johnson Streets.

“At this time, I am not finished with my investigations,” Malone said. “Both investigations have their own unique set of circumstances that are somewhat suspicious. I would like to stress neither investigation is complete.”

The two fires under investigation are located less than three minutes walk apart.

While photographing the scenes, it was noted one fire was in an old barn with “keep out” warning signs posted. No electricity was attached to the property and the only burned item appeared to be some type of couch recliner.

The second fire at a mobile home on Elm Street appeared to have started outside in front of the home and slightly under the home. A box spring mattress lain directly under the spot was completely burned.

A fourth fire which occurred on Preston lane appears to have started in the home’s attic.

Malone and Warner declined to comment on the person found in the home.

“We have to complete this investigation and allow time for an autopsy report,” Malone said.

Malone did have a concern in regard to social media and the speculation by many an arsonist is at work.

“We are working on these cases and, as I said before, two cases are somewhat unique, but there is nothing to indicate the other two fires are related to them,” Malone said. “We aren’t speculating here, we are following the facts.”