LANDIS — Two newly constructed apartment buildings that were not yet completed burned to the ground early Tuesday morning.

The Landis apartments at 1355 Mount Moriah Church Road, across from the elementary school, both caught fire about 4:26 a.m. on Tuesday, and within 10 minutes of the first slew of calls, the third alarm was struck.

By 4:51, both structures had collapsed, and firefighters were working to contain the fire to the property and not allow nearby houses to catch fire.

Fortunately, all surrounding structures were protected and no one was injured. One duplex was evacuated to be safe, and the residents were kept out of the home until the smoke was cleared and firefighters could ensure their home was unharmed. The fire was declared under control at 5:41 a.m. after an hour and fifteen minutes.

Tuesday afternoon, Landis Town Manager Michael Ambrose said that the blaze appears to have been intentionally set.

This is the second fire at this location in just over a month. On Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:57 a.m., a fire broke out in a third floor apartment at the same location. In that case, the Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was suspected to be arson, and the Landis Police Department took over the case. Landis police then requested assistance from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigations.

The construction of the apartments has had some controversy, and there have been detractors who did not want to see them built, but so far, no one has been charged in the November fire.

In a release from the town today, it was confirmed that the Landis Police Department has again requested assistance from the SBI, though Landis will remain the lead agency, and the Rowan Fire Marshal’s office has also requested that the N.C. State Fire Marshal respond.

Anyone who may have any information related to the fire is asked to contact Detective Hill of the Landis Police Department at 704-857-2129.

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.