A fire in an unoccupied Atlantic City building was set by someone, but the intent is not clear, Fire Chief Scott Evans said Wednesday.
Firefighters were called to the blaze on the first block of S. North Carolina Avenue after 7 a.m., and found flames coming out of the first floor, according to the report.
No one was living in the three-story building, and there was no electricity except possibly to the meter, Evans said. There were signs that homeless people may have been staying there.
“Was the fire to stay warm? Was it to cook?” Evans asked. “We don’t know that yet.”
He said it didn’t appear at first glance to be arson, considering where the fire started, but that has not yet been ruled out.
He estimated at least $75,000 in damage to the building. The first floor was gutted by the fire. There was also some exposure to the outside from the flames, along with some additional water damage.
