The virus was blamed for the death of an Atlanta woman this month. At least four Florida residents have been sickened by the disease, which is most dangerous to the elderly or people with weak immune systems. Eleven of the houses were destroyed. The last fire was Aug. 19. No one has been injured in the blazes.
Investigators say they have little to go on in their search for a suspect.
Richard Schuler, who heads the state fire marshal s office in West Palm Beach, said the city has asked him to investigate only two of the fires. He knew nothing about the others. Ike Robinson, the city s only black commissioner, said he knew nothing about the fires. Commissioner Jim Exline, who represents the area, said he studied the fires for a pattern, but could find none. He drove the body back to their apartment, left it in the car and later began driving around with it, police said.