Arsonist Targets 15 Homes, Businesses, Cars Etc.

Arson investigators are looking for a man who spent at least three hours overnight setting fires in back alleys, trash cans, and near homes in a North Park neighborhood. 

"I mean I wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning just to get down here, it's ridiculous" said Doug Nguyen who was boarding up a back door that was set on fire overnight at his Auto Repair Business. 

The fire at "North Park Auto Repair" was one of at least 13 fires set between midnight and 3 a.m. Sunday and all of the fires came within several blocks of each other, according to San Diego Fire Dept. Spokesperson Maurice Luque. 

Two other fires were set in the same area Saturday evening, bringing the total number of incidents to 15. 

The only suspect information being released by firefighters came from a witness who described a man around 5 foot 7 inches, darker skinned, possibly Hispanic, riding a bicycle.
 
Most of the fires were minor in nature and didn't cause any significant damage, but one was large enough that neighbors described seeing flames rise above their two-story apartment building.

The fire, which destroyed a carport and garage and burned the side of a parked car, caused an estimated $10,000 in damage.

Neighbors say a police helicopter circled above telling the occupants of the house to evacuate, but no one came out.

Nine hours later, Jeremy Lemaster scratched his eyes as he walked out his back door and realized what he'd slept through the night before. 

"We were asleep last night, we didn't wake up.  I didn't hear anything last night," said Lemaster who rents the home.  He had yet to call his roommate's girlfriend, who is out of town, to tell her that half of her car had been burned.
 
An arsonist who set nearly two-dozen fires several years ago in a similar situation was given a three-year prison sentence according to Luque, but he stressed that there are many factors that weigh into possible punishment. 

Neighbors hope police and arson investigators can catch the suspect soon, before someone gets hurt. 

"Well obviously it's a little bit scary" said Rob Shaffer who witnessed one of the fires being put out, "cause you don't know if it's going to happen again."

Contact Us