Officials: Two vehicle fires overnight in Cedar Rapids were arson

Investigators believe they have two separate cases of arson in less than two hours after vehicles burned early Tuesday morning in Cedar Rapids.

Around 1:30 a.m., a neighbor reported a 2010 Hyundai Sonata was burning in the street in front of 1613 Idledale Rd. NE. Firefighters doused the flames, but the car, belonging to Emily and Jordan Dumolien, was a total loss.

Then, around 3:10 a.m., a 2004 Ford F-150 was reported on fire in the street at 849 20th St. SE. Amy and Raphael Thomas' pickup also was completely destroyed.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said investigators confirmed both fires were intentionally set, but were still determining how the fires were set. No one was hurt in either incident.

The two fire scenes are about six miles apart.

“We don't have any reason to believe they're related, but to have two in just a couple hours is different,” Buelow said.

An investigation is continuing.