Officials Press Probe Into Set Fires

By Andrew Gorosko

Police and fire officials this week continued their joint investigation into a series of fires that were set by vandals during the nighttime on the weekend of July 25–27, damaging three automobiles parked outdoors at residences.

The burned autos reflect acts of vandalism that are much more serious than typical cases of criminal mischief, according to police. Investigators do not recall a similar series of crimes in the past. There were no injuries in the blazes. There have been no similar fires since the weekend of July 25–27.

Fire Marshal Bill Halstead said investigators are working to develop leads that would help them learn who set the fires.

Police Sergeant Henry Stormer, who is a deputy fire marshal, said it appears that “several youths” were involved in setting the fires. Witness accounts state that several youthful voices were heard as the fires were set, after which the youths entered an auto and drove away, the sergeant said.

“We are continuing our investigation. We’re awaiting [crime] lab results,” he said.

Investigators want the state police crime lab to identify the flammable liquid that was used to start the fires, as well as identify fingerprints.

Sgt Stormer said the crime lab has a large backlog of cases for evidence testing, noting that it can take a long time to get evidence test results.

The automobile fires occurred on Diamond Drive, Old Bethel Road, and Juniper Road. Investigators said they found evidence, in the form of a “suspicious device,” in an apparent failed attempt to set fire to an auto on The Boulevard.

Besides the car fires, police and fire officials are investigating the fiery destruction of an elaborate residential mailbox on the westerly section of The Old Road, off Mt Pleasant Road.

At about 9 am Saturday, July 26, the Sgammatos of 9 Diamond Drive found that a blanketlike covering that they had left atop a 1995 Toyota Camry had been burned by fire. The vehicle also received some burn damage in the set blaze.

At about 2:20 am, Sunday, July 27, police learned that someone had set fire to a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron sedan, which was parked in a driveway at the Kerr residence at 6 Old Bethel Road in Hawleyville. On arriving, police found the front end of the auto engulfed in flames. Hawleyville firefighters were called to the scene to put out the blaze. The auto received heavy damage. Investigators found a “suspicious device” at the scene.

A few minutes later, police received a report that a 1994 Eagle Vision was afire at the Sandifer residence at 3 Juniper Road, off Sugar Street, not far from the police station. The burning vehicle there was parked alongside Juniper Road.

On July 28, police investigated a case that appears to have been an attempt to set fire to a 1989 Oldsmobile Ciera sometime during the weekend of July 25–27 at the Krochia residence at 8 The Boulevard. A suspicious object was located near the automobile there.

Officials urge anyone with information about who set the fires to contact the fire marshal’s office at 270-4370, or contact police at 426-5841.