Authorities in Flint, Michigan have arrested a suspect in five of what are believed to be nine arson fires that broke out overnight in an eastside neighborhood, the city announced.
Three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion from battling the blazes.
The person in custody is suspected in five of the fires, and authorities are looking for help in solving all the blazes, Public Safety Director Alvern Lock said in a news release.
“There were several people who came forward and provided us with information that led to this arrest. I encourage anyone with information about any crime to share that information with us. You never know how that information can be used to lead us to a suspect,” Lock said.
The first fire started about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, fire Battalion Chief John Babb told The Flint Journal.
One of the firefighters with heat exhaustion was in stable condition at a hospital. Babb said the other two were able to return to work.
Several occupied homes were damaged by the heat, Babb said. Crews from Burton, Davison, Genesee Township and Mount Morris also helped fight the fires.
“”This is horrible,” said Mayor Dayne Walling. “It is hard to imagine why someone would purposely set fires, putting the lives of innocent people and our firefighters in danger. None of us will have a peaceful night’s sleep until those responsible for the arsons in our community are arrested and behind bars.”
Guy Carter’s house was damaged when the home next door burned. He said he was awakened about 1 a.m. by firefighters banging on the front door because the side of the house was on fire. He got out safely along with his girlfriend and three children.
“It was unreal,” he said.
Last year, the battered industrial city laid off dozens of firefighters to help close a budget deficit. The cuts were accompanied by a wave of arsons, many in abandoned homes. A federal grant later allowed 34 laid-off firefighters to return to work and two fire stations to be reopened.
Topics Michigan
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