MERRILLVILLE | The Wednesday night blaze that caused an estimated $1 million in damages to three apartment buildings under construction in Merrillville appears to be arson, investigators said Thursday.

"It was a set fire," said Ross Township Fire Marshal Mike Sneiderwine. "Merrillville police are handling the investigation."

Sneiderwine said Merrillville and Crown Point firefighters battled the 10:24 p.m. blaze at 9145 Hayes St. for about an hour before beating it down.

Merrillville police Operations Cmdr. Lance Huish confirmed the department is conducting an arson investigation.

Huish said one building was completely destroyed, one was heavily damaged and a third sustained moderate damage.

Sneiderwine said the fire is estimated to have caused about $1 million in damage.

No one was injured by the fire, Sneiderwine said, and residents in nearby apartments were never in danger as the wind was blowing the fire away from the other occupied dwellings.

Harold and Alice Levy live across from the buildings damaged by the fire and said their neighbor came knocking on their door late Wednesday night to inform them about the blaze.

"It was orange," Harold Levy recalled about waking up to the knocks on his door. "I thought I left a light on."