Manchester, NH Police Search For Arsonist
MANCHESTER, NH (CBS) - Police in Manchester, New Hampshire are searching for an arsonist.
Early Monday morning, someone set nearly a half a dozen fires in downtown at about the same time.
The fires were small, but they caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage including destroying two cars.
Witnesses say if it weren't for the quick reaction of the fire department, people could have gotten hurt.
The fire that was started in a trash bin left two cars charred and that blaze also melted the siding on an apartment building.
"They don't even think twice about people's personal stuff that they have, sentimental stuff or even killing somebody," says Katrina Warren.
Firefighters say someone lit the fire intentionally and then walked up and walked up and down an alley torching trash cans, a couch and a mattress that was leaning against a building.
Manchester has been battling arson problems. After a spike in 2011 that saw 70 intentional fires, the city has had just 29 so far this year. That is until early Monday morning.
Police haven't made any arrests. Most residents suspect out of control teenagers are to blame.
"Four fires in the same alley, that's just somebody taking a walk down the alley and decided to entertain themselves," said one woman. "Very pitiful."
Fire officials do think the same person set all five of the fires. But they don't have any evidence that links them to other arson fires. As always, they are looking for the public's help to identify a suspect.
