Several Raleigh brush fires along I-540 were ‘intentionally set’: Wake County deputies

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday evening that several afternoon brush fires along Interstate 540 in northern Raleigh and the county were “intentionally set” and are being investigated as arson.

There were at least five brush fires along I-540 on Saturday. Smoke and responding fire engines were first seen along I-540 near Leesville Road around 2:50 p.m. As of 3:25 p.m., crews were still battling fires near the Leesville Road area.

Another fire was spotted along I-540 west of Leesville Road near mile marker 5, according to a traffic camera from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Crews later responded to the fire near mile marker 5.

All fires appeared out by 4:45 p.m., however, fire crews were still stationed along I-540.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said the fires along I-540 were in several areas, including Glenwood Avenue, Leesville Road, Creedmoor Road, Falls of Neuse Road, and Capital Boulevard.

“At this stage in the investigation, it is believed that the fires were intentionally set,” a Wake County Sheriff’s Office news release said.

The I-540 brush fires stretched from an area near Glenwood Avenue to the east at U.S. 1 at Triangle Town Center, according to Raleigh Fire Division Chief Jake Corker.

The Raleigh Fire Department confirmed several crews were deployed along I-540 to extinguish the various brush fires.

Durham Highway Fire Department was also involved in fighting the brush fires, Raleigh officials said.

While the fires were active, two lanes of I-540 west were closed near Leesville Road. Until about 4 p.m., traffic was also stopped along I-540 near Capital Boulevard/U.S. 1, where officials said brush fires were burning near Triangle Town Center.

Most of the brush fires appeared to break out along the westbound lanes of I-540.

The Raleigh Police Department also told CBS 17 that the cause of the fires is under investigation.

Deputies said anyone who has information about the brush fires should contact the Wake County Sheriff’s Office at 919-856-6911.