Fayetteville fire officials: Growing homeless population may be behind fires
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- When firefighters rushed to the corner of Chance and Orange streets in Fayetteville earlier this week, their first priority was ripping the boards off the windows.
The call had come in as an "occupied home," but three people managed to get out before flames engulfed the top floor of the abandoned, historic home.
Firefighters believe the three were homeless. They may have been trying to stay warm.
They're a part of a bigger picture.
Fayetteville fire officials believe a growing homeless population may be behind the rise in vacant property fires across the city.
The department reports 19 vacant properties burned down in 2013, and last year, nearly three times as many burned down.
The first vacant property fire of 2015 was on Tuesday at Chance and Orange Streets.
Most of the properties set ablaze have been in the downtown area, according to fire officials.
Catherine Lynch said she lived on the streets for nine months until last month, when a friend took her in. She understands why people resort to vacant properties for warmth, but said she never did that.
"That's trespassing. That's not me," said Lynch. "I find it's easier to get warm in the winter than cool in the summer cause we have plenty of blankets. You can always put more on to keep warm, but you can only take so much off to get cold."
As bitter cold temperatures creep into the area this week, department officials, as well as the Fayetteville police are asking citizens who see people using vacant properties to notify them as soon as possible. They said Wednesday that they'll get people into shelters on those white flag nights, defined as evenings when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees.
Lynch said there's only one problem with that. Shelters are run by the rules of sobriety and accountability, often requiring a warrant check through the sheriff's office in exchange for admittance.
"ID. Not having the proper ID is the main thing," said Lynch, who is without a state ID or social security card.
She said securing a homeless ID has been difficult for her in the past, and many people are addicted to alcohol, which eliminates them from being able to go into the shelters.
More information on resources for the homeless in the City of Fayetteville can be found HERE.
