BY DARRELL HALEN

Fire and police officials are investigating two suspicious fires. Each destroyed a shed and were reported about 15 minutes apart during a recent early morning.

The fires occurred not far from each other in the southestern part of Pelham, the same area where numerous thefts and vandalism were also reported.

When members of Pelham’s police and fire departments arrived at 39 Dutton Road at 3:07 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, in response to a shed fire, they found the structure engulfed in flames.

While firefighters worked to prevent the fire from burning the house next to it, a second fire was reported at 8 Island Pond Road at 3:22 a.m.

Both sheds were destroyed.

“Right now, it’s suspicious,” said Fire Chief Michael Walker.

Walker is not calling them arson, and said his department, along with police and the state fire marshall’s office are investigating.

“We believe it was some kind of petroleum product or something that started the fire,” he said.

At the Dutton Road residence, a police officer woke the family and evacuated them from their home.

A neighbor of the Island Pond Road residence helped evacuate the home.

“No one was hurt but it was very serious,” Walker said. “People were asleep and the fires were impinging on their homes.”    

Earlier in the same morning, around 12:37 a.m., a Currier Road resident reported that their mailbox was damaged by someone driving by the house.

About an hour later, several Livingston Road residents reported that their mailboxes and vehicles had been damaged and items had been stolen.

Later in the morning, several area residents reported vehicles and mailboxes damaged.

One Currier Road resident reported that their four-wheel all-terrain vehicle had been stolen during the night. The vehicle was later recovered by police.

Police said they are following several leads, have identified several suspects and anticipate making several arrests.