Serial Arson Fires Put Residents On Edge

NEWARK, Ohio -- Two more fires blazed overnight after a string of Newark arsons, and investigators continued to look for an apparent serial arsonist.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Investigators said there have been nine confirmed arson fires within blocks of each other and asked for the public’s help.

Two fires broke out overnight Tuesday, and investigators were called in to determine whether they were set fires.

Fire crews were called to a fire at a vacant building at 305 E. Main St. shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday. The fire remained under investigation.

Firefighters noticed a second nearby fire in a vacant building at 58 Bolen Ct.

The State Fire Marshal's office determined the fire on Bolen Court was an arson fire Tuesday afternoon. Investigators said the fire has multiple points of origin.

Investigators have determined six other Newark fires were intentionally set in an 11-day period.

Here’s a list of the fires determined to be arson:
- 2:23 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 58 Bolen Ct.
- An occupied business and apartment at 373 Iron Ave. Sunday, Sept. 27.
- Abandoned home at 332 Buckingham St. Sunday, Sept. 27.
- 10:54 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at 148 E. Main St.
- 8:32 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 105 S. 5th St.
- 8:21 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at 119 W. Railroad St.
- 1:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 at 105 S. 5th St.
- 8:03 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at 156 S. 32nd St.
- 8:03 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at 182 and 184 E. Main St.

More specific details about how and where the fires started were not released.

Investigators were able to rule out accidental causes and found evidence to support the fires were intentionally set.

Investigators have not determined whether the fires are connected but said they are looking into all possibilities.

A firefighter was injured battling the Buckingham Street fire Sunday.

“We have a concern that someone is going to be seriously injured or killed as these fires continue to escalate from abandoned homes to occupied structures,” said Interim State Fire Marshal Donald C. Cooper. “Now is the time for anyone in the community who has information to come forward and help investigators put a stop to these dangerous crimes.”

Residents told NBC 4 they are on edge.

“When I come to the neighborhood, I thought it would be a good neighborhood, but now that all the fires have been started, it's not really that safe to me,” Wayne Cooper said.

It’s hitting too close to home for resident Sherry Renicker and her sister.

“People don't realize, whatever they are doing, the damage it causes for people, Renicker said.

“My sister lives right next to two abandoned homes, and the ones that caught last night, right across the street,” Renicker said.

A Blue Ribbon Arson Reward of as much as $5,000 has been posted for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the fires.

Anyone with information was asked to call the State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau at 800-589-2728, Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888 or the Newark fire department at 740-364-9329.

Arson investigators and local authorities continued to comb through evidence and interview neighborhoods to find out who is responsible.

INTERACTIVE NEWARK ARSON MAP

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