The city of Seminole is going up in flames — one old house and historic building at a time.

“It makes a person wonder, but what can you say?” said fire victim Bill Bowman, commenting on troubling fires that have destroyed at least three historic structures and five old houses in or near downtown Seminole within the past three years.

The historic Grisso Hotel building was gutted by fire April 23, 2011. The old Booker T. Washington School, a relic of the segregation era, burned in October 2010. The school's gymnasium burned in March of this year.

Several house fires followed, including two in March that resulted in arson arrests. Bowman became the latest victim when a home he owned at 319 E Wewoka burned July 13.