MARYSVILLE - A vacant house was destroyed and the one next door was scorched in a pair of arson fires early Saturday, Marysville fire officials said.

So far, one person has been arrested in connection with the fires in the 3900 block of 79th Avenue NE in Marysville.

Firefighters responded to the blazes at about 3 a.m. and found the first home fully engulfed in flames and the other with minor exterior fire damage. They apparently were vacant houses that had been occupied recently by transients.

No one was injured, said Stephanie Price of the Marysville Fire Department.

Snohomish County Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Makela said the fires were determined to be purposefully started.

Marysville police arrested a man found at the scene and booked him into jail on suspicion of arson. He is believed to be a transient who had been living at one of the homes.

Damage loss is unknown at this time. The homes reportedly had been purchased recently by a developer.

Fire officials said the homes were located up steep, narrow driveways, which made the fires difficult to fight. Three fire districts responded to the blazes.