Gary Police: Man May Be Responsible For Vacant Building Fires

GARY (CBS) -- Police have taken a man into custody, who they suspect may be responsible for several fires in abandoned buildings.

According to police, firefighters were called to an vacant apartment building around 5 a.m. Tuesday at East 17th Avenue and Maryland Street.

The building was completely engulfed in flames.

Police say neighbors reported seeing an individual going in and out of the building.

A silver Chevy Malibu was spotted down the block with a man standing outside watching crews fight the fire.

Neighbors said he was the one spotted leaving the fire.

Police say he first tried to identify himself as a Gary firefighter.

He then changed his story and said he was a fire chaser.

Police allegedly found gas cans inside of his car and he was taken into custody.

Authorities believe the same man is connected to fires at 1700 block of Maryland and 2000 block of Delaware.

He's a 22 year-old male.

Police are trying to track down the owner before formally filing charges.