For the second time, arson is suspected regarding a house fire on Preetorius Street.
    Monday, a thick column of smoke billowed up from the white frame house on the street connecting U.S. 80 East and North Main Street, near Durden Rentals and MSO Water Systems.
    Statesboro Firefighters responded around noon to douse the fire, and a portion of North Main Street was temporarily closed, according to information dispatched over emergency responder radio airwaves.
    The house, which once held the office of Francis Overhead Doors, was engulfed in flames as firefighters battled the
second fire at the house within a couple months, said Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner.
    A few months ago someone set a fire in the carport behind the structure, he said. That fire was determined to be arson by state fire marshal Dan Meallor, he said,
    Meallor was called to the scene again Monday and determined someone used “ordinary combustibles” to set a fire in the front room of the house, Turner said. Meallor “ruled the fire arson.”
    Both fires were set in the daytime hours, he said. Monday’s fire “occurred around lunchtime.”
    The intentional fires “are under active investigation,” he said. Any information about the fire can be relayed to Statesboro Police at (912) 764-9911.

    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.