DeSoto Apartments Plagued By Arson

DESOTO (CBSDFW.COM) - Five fires in less than a month, and two within 24 hours, all at the same DeSoto apartment complex.

Now the residents of the Southpoint Apartments off Pleasant Run and I-35E are on edge, and DeSoto police and fire officials believe they are dealing with the work of an arsonist.

Fire investigators confirm accelerants were used in some cases and are testing for accelerants in others.

The string of fires now has the ATF involved, with the latest set of fires hitting over the weekend.  The first fire hit in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, then again on early morning Sunday.

It's believed the arsonist uses a window to gain entry to the apartment and sets the fire in either a bedroom or closet.

"They're similar in nature.  Someone burglarizes the apartment and sets the fire---my assumption is---to cover up the burglary," says DeSoto Fire Marshal Micheal Laws.

Laws believes the arsonist either lives in the area or is very familiar with the complex.

DeSoto officials are asking anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at (877) 373-TIPS, or contact the Texas Department of Insurance tipline at (877) 4FIRE45.