String of arsons keeping residents on edge

Published 1:46 pm Monday, November 23, 2015

Someone is setting fires, and scaring the hell out of everybody.

Last Thursday the activities of an arsonist yet unknown brought more than 100 rattled Auburn residents to the Dick Scobee Elementary School gym to hear what police and fire officials had to say.

Residents pressed for better communication with law authorities, assurances that someone was following up on tips, regular updates.

Clearly, however, many left without getting the answers they’d been looking for.

“You’re not hearing me,” one frustrated Auburn resident told police and fire officials again and again.

Valley Regional Fire Authority Capt. Parry Boogard presented an overview of the string of 11 fires, which began in September.

All of structures set afire to date, except for two in the south, have been on the north end of Auburn. The structure fires appear random, and most of them were set between 6 and 11 p.m., Boogard said.

Despite what doubters say, detectives and officers are working hard to solve the case, said Auburn Police Cmdr. Mike Hirman,

“I want you to know we are working diligently on this,” Hirman said. “We’re applying profiles. We have a significant number of our resources working strictly on this because the last thing we want is for there to be another fire or, God forbid, somebody injured in a fire.

“This is an emotional event, and I know this means something to you,” Hirman said.

Hirman noted, however, that to protect the integrity of the investigation, police and fire officials may only share a small part of what they know.

“For all we know, whoever is starting these fires is in this room,” Hirman said.

One man suggested increasing staff at the police department.

Another asked more information and better maps of crime areas on the City’s website.

“Make it easy for us to help you,” the man pleaded.

Detectives said they heave persons of interest, but they offered few details. One man who had admitted to setting several Dumpster fires before the spree began and who in early October was considered the prime suspect was in jail, however, when later fires were set.

“Unfortunately this person is slimy,” Hirman said of the arsonist. “This person sneaks around in the middle of the night, and that’s just his MO.”

VRFA communications officer Kelly Williams suggested things residents could do to cut their chances of becoming statistics. For instance, clearing the area around one’s home of trash, keeping shrubbery trimmed, ensuring that outdoor lighting works.

“Lock all your doors and windows in your home, but also on any sheds or detachable objects you might have. It’s also important to have renters’ insurance,” Williams said.

Police are working with investigators from the VRFA and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Unfortunately, hours after the meeting broke up, five additional fires were kindled, raising the number to 16 unsolved cases.