String Of Fires Destroy 7 Vehicles, Damage 3 Homes

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Columbus fire officials confirmed a string of suspicious vehicle fires were connected.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Columbus fire and Columbus police were called out to the city’s far West Side before 5 a.m. Monday morning.

Seven vehicles were destroyed by fire at four locations; four fires were set in vehicles, but three other vehicles were damaged by proximity to the flames.

The first fire was on the 2000 block of Jarrow Court. 

Shortly after, two vehicles were on fire at a home on the 5800 block of Trailwater Lane. 

The third vehicle fire was at a home on the 2000 block of Jeffey Drive.

The fourth fire was on the 5700 block of Rachel Court.

An accelerant was used in at least one of the fires, officials said.

Ray Sicilian was watching a news report about the fire on Jeffey Drive when he said he heard a bang. He thought it was firecrackers, but it was one of the vehicle fires.

Sicilian said he’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and the incident has made him consider purchasing a video-surveillance system.

Another victim said she thought maybe someone was targeting her vehicles but once the other fires cropped up, she realized it was a random thing.

All of the fires were in a neighborhood west of Hilliard-Rome Road off Nike Drive.

At least three homes were damaged by fire and or smoke.

Residents were evacuated while firefighters contained the fires.

No injuries were reported.

CPD detained a person who was walking in the area at the time of the fires, but he or she was released after questioning.

Authorities did not have a suspect or suspect description Monday morning.

INTERACTIVE VEHICLE FIRE MAP

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