Fire officials in South Bend battled two fires within an hour and a mile of each other.

Crews responded to the first fire in the 900 block of North Johnson just after midnight Monday. That home was empty at the time. About three-quarters of the structure was consumed.

The owners of the first house reportedly were rehabbing it to become a rental property.

An hour later, crews responded to a second fire at a boarded up house in the 500 block of North Walnut.

That home was also empty. As of Monday afternoon, the owners had not yet been successfully contacted.

Officials did not comment on whether they believe the two to be connected, but 16 News Now spoke with neighbors who said they believe this was done intentionally and that the two fires were no coincidence.

"Random houses just don't catch on fire. ... This is intentionally set. This is someone who don't live in the neighborhood that's coming over here and doing it. ... I think someone is trying to send a message and it's not being heard, so they are continuing burning these houses down," said London Person, who says he lives in the neighborhood.

All three fires started in the back.

Neighbors 16 News Now talked with Monday said this is something that has been happening for months.

While no one was hurt in either blaze Monday, Person said he worries the outcome could be worse in the future.

"What happens if it's a house with a family in it and it goes up in flames and a kid dies in a house fire? ... Nobody is talking about it and nobody is addressing the issue. This is the first time it is going to make it to TV about the issue," Person said.

Both fires are under investigation.

16 News Now reached out to the South Bend Police Department but has not heard back.