Pocono News Section

Five Fires Labeled Arson in Williamsport

Five Fires Labeled Arson in Williamsport - Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 04:21AM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday June 09 2010
WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY- Five fires in one day, all deliberately set.

All those fires were set in a five-block area on June 3rd in the northeast section of the city. Now fire investigators need the public to help them stop an arsonist before someone gets hurt.

In two cases, trash cans were set ablaze. In the other three, car interiors were lit on fire. No one was hurt.

Assistant Fire Chief Tom Swigart believes one person is responsible for all the suspicious fires. He says every big fire starts out small, and the concern is that this arsonist will move onto bigger targets.

Swigart noted, "It's apparent this arsonist, whoever it is, isn't looking to hurt anybody. They're just looking to destroy stuff and they are doing that. They won't stop at just a trash can or something. So we've got to make sure we keep our properties cleaned up."

Swigart says big piles of brush and furniture sitting out on porches are easy targets for firebugs. He's urging everyone to keep an eye on their own property, as well as their neighbors.

Anyone with information on these fires should call the Williamsport Arson Hotline at 570-327-7575.