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SIERRA VISTA — Arson is being blamed for three separate vehicle fires that occurred in close proximity to one another, starting late Sunday night and extending into early Monday morning.
All three fires occurred in the town’s west end, within a square mile of each other, just a few hours apart.
“Everything about this series of fires points to arson,” said city Fire Marshal Paul Cimino. “But when we conduct our investigation, the first step is to rule out sources that can occur naturally.”
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In this particular crime spree, a number of clues point to arson.
All three fires originated on the driver’s side of the vehicle and all were started with items that had been left or stored inside the vehicle. “I did not detect any ignitable liquids,” Cimino said. “They were smoldering fires, so no accelerants were used in any of them. The person used papers, cloth or parts of the seat.”
None of the vehicles were locked, Cimino added. Thus, all were easily accessible with no forcible entry.
Police and fire officials are urging members of the community to come forward with any information they might have regarding the following:
At 11:36 p.m. Sunday the Sierra Vista Fire Department responded to a van on fire at 230 W. Fry Blvd. The second fire occurred at about 3 a.m. on Monday, when an SUV was set on fire in the area of 689 E. Fry Blvd. Then at about 5:20 a.m. on Monday, the fire department responded to a truck fire on 101 N. Seventh St.
Detectives from the Sierra Vista Police Department and fire officials believe there is a link between the three vehicle fires and six west-side arsons that occurred in 2006. Detectives are requesting anyone with information regarding the arsons, but who wish to remain anonymous, to contact (520) 88-crime, which is long distance, but callers can call collect.
The six west-side arsons that occurred in 2006 include:
- On May 6, an arson occurred at a trailer home at 107 N. Canyon Drive in Fry town.
- On Aug. 31, another arson occurred at a trailer home at 107 N. Canyon Drive.
- On Sept. 2, empty trailers in the area of Seventh Street and Wilcox Drive were set on fire.
- On Sept. 2, a dump truck located near 901 E. Fry Blvd. was set on fire.
- On Sept. 2, two pickup trucks parked in the area of 104 N. Seventh St. were set on fire.
- On Nov. 11, a truck at Wilcox Drive and Carmichael Avenue was set on fire.
“Arson is a very difficult crime to investigate and prosecute,” Cimino said. “You need a lot of physical evidence, and that’s not always available. So we rely on witness information, people stepping up and being good observers.”
Investigators need such information as what the person looked like, what they are wearing and a description of sounds.
“If you hear something, remember it and bring it to the investigating officer’s attention,” Cimino advised. “It’s going to take the cooperation of police, fire and this community to bring an end to this malicious act of arson. It puts our community at high risk, so we urge anyone with any information to come forward and contact the police department.”
herald/review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
nicole ray wrote on Jun 21, 2009 3:35 PM: