Fire chief: End arson-spree problem

Photo

Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle

Staff report

WARREN

Fire-department investigators are conducting interviews and hoping to put a stop to an arson spree that has damaged seven vacant homes on Scott Street Northeast and two other nearby streets in two months.

Ken Nussle, Warren fire chief, said there appears to be a connection among the fires, the latest of which occurred Friday night at 428 Orchard Place NE.

All seven fires took place at vacant homes and all were late at night or early in the morning.

All the fires were started in the interior of the home.

Gasoline was used as an accelerant in some of the fires, Nussle said.

The fires have caused only minor injuries to firefighters so far, but the problem needs to be stopped to prevent additional injuries, especially to firefighters, Nussle said.

“Our intent is to put this to rest,” Nussle said.

There were three fires on Scott Street, three on Orchard Place and one on Waverly Avenue, Nussle said.