By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Fire officials have responded to two vacant house fires within a day of each other, and both of them have been called suspicious.

Multiple fire agencies responded to what was termed a suspicious fire Wednesday morning at a vacant house at 9 Cooper St. Just 16 hours later, about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, firefighters were called to a vacant house at 1512 Stokes Ferry Road.

Salisbury Fire Marshal Terry Smith said investigators don’t believe the two fires are connected because the two homes are not close. The Stokes Ferry Road home had been vacant but was recently sold. The new owner had begun renovations.

The power to the home was turned on, Smith said.

All four city fire stations responded to the fire as well as units from Granite Quarry, East Spencer, Locke and Faith fire departments, Rowan County Rescue Squad and Rowan EMS. When fire officials arrived at the Stokes Ferry Road home, it was about 25 percent engulfed in flames. Firefighters had the fire under control by about 2 a.m.

The Cooper Street fire began shortly after 10 a.m. The house had been vacant for a number of years.

“Due to the nature of it being a vacant building, we are leaning toward possible arson, but it’s still being investigated,” Smith said.

All four city stations responded as did the Granite Quarry, East Spencer, Faith, Locke and South Salisbury fire departments; Rowan County Rescue Squad; and Rowan EMS.

No injuries were reported in either fire.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.