Multiple Cars in Merced Set on Fire, Investigators on the Hunt for Arsonist

Merced Fire said around 3:30am, a van at an apartment complex near 8th and T Street was set on fire. The flames spread to apartment complex and all three units in the building are now damaged, leaving 14 people without a home. Merced Fire said the displaced comprised of 8 adults and 6 children.

Merced Fire said they led a very agressive attack to put out the flames.

Battalion Chief Billy Alcorn said, "We pretty much confined the fire to one unit, well involved in the attic space with smoke damage throughout the other two units. It was a total of three units."

The American Red Cross is expected to help the displaced families.

"Right now for the families that were affected, we’re providing shelter they’ll be put up for a few days and then I’ll be giving them referrals to the human services agency; they’ll be provided food and clothing and then other needs as needed and we’ll be here for them as long as they need us to be," said Kimberly Lotz.

The Merced Fire Department is also investigating two other vehicle arson scenes in the city. it is still being determined whether all three arson scenes are connected.