Durham Fire Capt. David Roberts said firefighters responded to a 2 a.m. call at 124 Chestnut St., where they found the back of the house in flames. They brought the fire under control and left the scene by 4 a.m. But the house was ablaze again by 9 a.m., Roberts said, adding that this time, the fire destroyed the whole property. The house was appraised at $48,495. Roberts said the nature of the second blaze was what sparked an arson investigation. "It was on fire all over," he said. "Usually, when we get a rekindle, it's smoldering. That's what led [inspectors] to believe someone might have set it."

Roberts could not say who called to report the fire. He said no one was in the building when firefighters arrived, and it was unclear whether the owner of the house had been living there or if it was unoccupied.

Durham firefighters also extinguished blazes at 907 Carter St. and 210 N. Maple St. Bringing the total to four working house fires on Tuesday.