HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. -- Investigators questioned two people and are searching for another person of interest after suspicious fires plagued the city of Highland Park Friday morning.

A reward has been established by authorities to help locate an arsonist believed to be responsible for the fires. Police said a recent parolee is considered to be a person of interest in the fires. The man was previously jailed for arson, Local 4 reported.

A man and a woman were being questioned about the fires by the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

The woman was identified by witnesses as someone they believe set the fires, Local 4 reported. The man was found with accelerants and a lighter, according to the station's reports.

The woman was later released and investigators said she is not considered to be a suspect.

"One of suspects was a disgruntled ex-city employee," said Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans.

Evans said it has not been confirmed whether the suspect's former job was related to the arson fires.

The last fire reported was at about 9:45 a.m. in the 200 block of Grove Street, Local 4 reported. A garbage fire was set in the yard of a home.

Smoke from the early-morning fires, which started at about 6 a.m., could be seen for miles.

At least four homes burned on Florence Street, in the area of Third Street and McNichols, Local 4 reported. A vacant home on Geneva Street, near Hamilton, also caught on fire. The vacant house may have started on fire from embers caught in the wind from the Florence Street fire, which was several blocks away, the station reported.

A fire inside a vacant building at Hamilton and Pitkin was brought under control at about 7:30 a.m., according to Local 4 reports. The fire was determined to be arson, the station reported.

The vacant building was the scene of a large drug bust last week, but no information was available as to whether there was a connection to the fire, the station reported.

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Police closed several streets, including Hamilton at Manchester Road, and Third Street at McNichols, according to Local 4 Traffic.

Several schools were closed Friday because of the block fire. The principal of Best Academy, Delria Crippen, called Local 4 to confirm the school was closed for the day. Crippen said most of the students walk to school and street closures would make it difficult for the children.

Liberty Elementary was also closed, but staff was expected to report to the school district's administration building, the station learned. George Washington Carver was also closed Friday, but staff was expected to report to the school, Local 4 learned.

Local 4 reported that only one fire truck was at the scene of the first fire on Florence Street, with little water pressure to battle the flames.

Blackwell said the city has three fire trucks, and each was brought to the individual fire scenes.

Several other fire crews, including the Detroit Fire Department, Hamtramck Fire Department, Royal Oak Fire Department and Bingham Farms Fire Department, assisted Highland Park firefighters in battling the spreading fires.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Tyrone Scott said crews were called to a "box alarm" at the building fire at about 6:45 a.m.

Hamtramck Fire Chief James Szafarczyk described the spreading fires as "unusual."

"We're just hoping to stop this from spreading," said Szafarczyk early Friday morning.

Three of the homes on Florence Street were occupied, but residents were able to safely escape, Local 4 reported. No injuries were reported.

A total of nine people were displaced from their homes. A 72-year-old woman and her two adult sons were placed at a hotel through the weekend. The woman's home of 40 years was destroyed by the flames, Local 4 learned.

Three adults from a second home were also staying at a hotel through Sunday.

Ronda Wilkins and her twin daughters were staying at a hotel Friday night. Their home was partially damaged by the flames, Local 4 learned. Wilkins said she awoke to someone pounding on her door Friday morning.

The Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents with shelter, and vouchers for food and clothing. For more information on how to help, call (313) 833-2664.

A $1,000 reward is being offered by authorities for information leading to an arrest in connection with the fires. An additional $5,000 reward was also expected to be established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Local 4 reported.

Blackwell said residents need to be the "eyes and ears" of the city to help locate the arsonist.

"We have to find this person," said Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Anyone with information should call the Wayne County tip line at (313) 252-0050.

Fires Draw Attention To City Budget Problems

The fires that spread through Highland Park Friday morning have brought attention to the city's financial problems.

Highland Park lost its police department because of budget issues, and the fire department is limited to three fire trucks, according to Local 4 reports. The city relies on the Wayne County Sheriff's Department to patrol city streets, and assistance from neighboring fire departments.

Highland Park Chief Financial Officer Arthur Blackwell said the city will ensure that mutual aid is in place and effective, and understands the need to "assure the community that the city is working for them."

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick went to Highland Park during the massive fires Friday morning to ensure the city was taken care of properly. He said Highland Park needs assistance from Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the state of Michigan.

"Highland Park cannot continue to operate in this way," said Kilpatrick.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano activated mutual aid from Wayne County, and instructed Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director James Buford to station the Homeland Security Post in Highland Park, according to Wayne County officials.

Buford will assist in coordinating efforts with Detroit, the sheriff's department and the Red Cross, Local 4 learned.

Stay with Local 4 News and ClickOnDetroit.com for the latest developments.