String of fires being investigated in Merced

Merced Fire investigators are looking for suspects in a string of early morning arson fires, all happening less than a mile apart in Downtown Merced.

Officials say a dozen people, are now homeless. The first fire started around 3:30, by a car in an alley. It then spread to the apartment and destroyed all three units of a tri-plex on S Street near 8th Street in Merced. Investigators now believe that fire was intentionally started. Eight adults and 6 kids are now being helped by the Red Cross.

Then, just a few blocks away, investigators are also looking into two other car fires. Those were both contained to the vehicles. Fire officials say they found a flammable liquid had been poured onto one, before being set on fire.

In the other case, the vehicle owners found the cars on fire and quickly put them out with a garden hose.