Two fires in Moi prompt arson investigation

Two fires broke out in the small village of Moi in Lund municipality, southern Rogaland, early Wednesday, prompting police to investigate whether they were deliberately started, NRK reported.

The fires began at around 5 a.m., apparently in two separate rubbish bins. One detached house suffered damage to its facade, and two people were evacuated.

Cecilia Gray and her partner were alerted by a passer-by that a bin on their property was burning. They put out the fire with a garden hose before it spread to the house, where their children and two dogs were also present.

Gray said they found footprints in the grass and that a gate leading to a field had been moved. She said the footprints led towards the rubbish bins.

“I feel unsafe, and this is not something I want my children to experience,” Gray said.

Police are working on several hypotheses, including whether the fires were connected or happened by chance. Incident commander Ola Oftedal said officers were questioning residents and had used a drone to survey the area.

Police confirmed to NRK on Wednesday afternoon that one of the hypotheses was that the fires had been deliberately started, but declined to comment further.

Lund municipal fire service responded to both fires. Fire service incident commander Stig Skåland praised the local crews for arriving quickly.