San Jose Fire Department Suspects Arsonist For Area Fires
SAN JOSE (KCBS) — Four small fires broke out near downtown San Jose Friday morning, not far from yesterday's massive 5-alarm warehouse blaze with some striking similarities that suggests arson, according to San Jose fire officials.
There were four similar exterior fires in a four-block radius that started about 3:30 a.m.
"This area is also where we had a house fire yesterday and an exterior fire threatening a church on Wednesday and then about six block north of us, is the massive warehouse fire," San Jose Fire Capt. Michael Van Elgort said.
The Friday fires included a porch fire at 3:51 a.m. at 24th and Peach Streets, a fire about 4 a.m. on 24th Street near E. San Fernando Street, and a fire at 4:30 a.m. at 28th and San Antonio streets.
A fourth fire was set but failed to ignite, Van Elgort said.
Van Elgort said they hoped that warehouse fire is not related but there was significant evidence that points to arson as the cause.
"The fact that we have exterior fires right up against homes, multiple locations is concerning. We have someone potentially putting fellow citizens at risk and that's unacceptable; it's untenable," he said.
Arson investigators are gathering evidence and working with San Jose police to identify a suspect.
Residents in the area are urged to keep a look out for any suspicious activity.
(Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)