Delhi News Bureau
HAMDEN _ Fires at one house and two trailers in Hamden have been classified as incendiary, Delaware County Emergency Services Director Rich Bell said Wednesday.
The fires were termed incendiary because all accidental causes were investigated and ruled out, Bell said. He added they are under investigation by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.
The April 16 fire was at a house on Chambers Hollow Road, and the April 17 fire struck two trailers on Burt Aikens Road.
Bell said fires are not considered arson.
"It's not illegal to burn something," Bell said. "But it becomes arson if there is an attempt to illegally collect insurance or if some other illegal activity is connected to the fire."
Lightning caused a fire that swept through about 10 acres of grass, brush and woods in Delhi on April 2 at a renaissance festival site formerly known as Amaral, Bell said.
The fire was located about 11/2-to-2 miles up the mountain on a road that is located near the Countryside Care Center in Delhi. Several buildings on the property were destroyed.
Bell said the investigation found the fire began in a tree and then dropped down, spreading through the grass. He said the tree was probably struck by lightning during a storm several days before the fire.
