By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com 

A fire that broke out on Gaskey Street was intentionally set, according to a fire marshal.

A single-story residence caught fire shortly after midnight on Thursday.

According to Salisbury Police Captain Sheila Lingle, when officers responded to the fire at 420 Gaskey St., the house was “fully engulfed.”

Salisbury Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Hurlocker said no one was home when the Salisbury Fire Department arrived at the residence. He also said no one was injured in the fire.

Fire Marshal Terry Smith said the fire and police departments were at the house investigating the fire all day. After finishing the investigation, they found that the fire was set on purpose.

Explosions were heard when the fire broke out, but Smith said compressed cylinders exploded because of the heat and that had nothing to do with the cause of the fire.

About 75 percent of the residence was damaged, Smith said.

Smith said the fire department is working with the police department to determine suspects.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.