Staff report

Suffolk fire officials are examining more than 50 leads with hopes of apprehending the culprits behind two fires that started within hours of one another on Saturday.

The fires required manpower from Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and the Navy. One fire was set to approximately 5,000 tires at the Southeastern Public Service Authority landfill, and the other to the Suffolk Used Auto Parks junkyard on Portsmouth Boulevard.

Both fires have been determined arson.

Three to four residents who live near the junkyard reported seeing a late model burgundy Dodge Stratus leaving the area in a hurry just after the fire started. Investigators released information on Tuesday that they were seeking people who may remember part of the vehicle’s license plate number, or any other identifying marks. This has resulted in 50 calls that are being probed.

Capt. Jim Judkins, public information officer for the Suffolk Fire Department, reported on Wednesday evening that the landfill fire is &uot;just about out, and the junkyard fire is still smoldering. Both fires should be out by the weekend.&uot;