By Anna Simon – Greenville News

Two fires that destroyed much of a senior-living complex early Sunday have been ruled arson, Anderson Fire Chief Jack Abraham said Monday.

While investigators piece together clues from the scene, the American Red Cross in Anderson County is working to help residents who lost their homes in the fire find housing, said Mary Thomas, chief fundraising officer for the agency’s Upstate Chapter.

Residents of all 45 occupied units in the complex have had to leave their apartments, Abraham said. Utilities have been turned off because of the extent of the damage by fire, water and smoke, Abraham said.

An investigation by the state Law Enforcement Division Arson Tack Force and Anderson police and fire investigators has concluded that both fires at Heatherwood Apartments were arson, Abraham said.

Abraham said authorities believe the fires are connected, and asked that anyone with any information that may be helpful concerning the investigation of the fires call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-922-7766.

Firefighters responding to a 1:27 a.m. fire Sunday found magazines burning on a table in the lobby. A second fir that appears to have started on the second floor was reported at 4:35 a.m. Sunday and destroyed much of the complex, Abraham said.

Six residents were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, along with two police officers who suffered from smoke inhalation, Abraham said. Another 45 displaced residents were taken to a Red Cross shelter.

Many of the displaced residents are staying with family members, but others need assistance, Thomas said.

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