The Reno Fire Department needs the public's help finding information about three fires that broke out Wednesday morning. The fires are considered suspicious in nature. Officials believe they are linked because they are all within walking distance of each other and the time frame of the fires.
“The reason we think this is possibly connected is simply because of the geographic regions being so close and the timeline. The fires that occurred happened within a time frame of several hours, and all within walking distance and close proximity of each other," said Reno Fire Department Fire Marshal Tray Palmer.
“I mean I know the fire department is not far away, but nonetheless, it's pretty scary,” said Tony Stinnett, who lives right next to an apartment complex where one of the fires broke out.
Stinnett lives right next to where one of the fires broke out on Willow Street. The Reno Fire Department’s Fire Marshal says that a fire was set outside a window. It was fortunate that the resident inside was able to control the fire until crews arrived.
“We're all in close proximity of each other. One good fire could probably get us all,” said Stinnett.
The Reno Fire Department says the first fire happened at 3 a.m. in a condemned building at 816 East Second Street, the second fire broke out slightly before 5 a.m. on 747 Willow Street, and the third fire happened in a car at 227 Thoma Street at 5:30 a.m. The last two fires are considered intentional.
“People are setting fires. That is an extreme danger. There a thing called the broken window effect. In a sense that if someone is setting fires and getting away with the fires, they are going to try to set something bigger on fire,” said Palmer.
The Fire Marshal says they are working with surveillance video right now trying to find suspects.
Anyone with information about the fires can call the Reno Fire Department at 334-2300, or Secret Witness at 322-4900, or text your tip to 847411. Your information will remain anonymous.
