Pontiac Officials Investigate Rash Of Fires

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - Pontiac officials are investigating a rash of fires, including four this past weekend, believed set by more than one arsonist.

WWJ spoke with Pontiac Fire Marshal Darryl Fowlkes who said that nine fires have been deliberately set in vacant dwellings over the past six days.

Now, they are looking for the people responsible.

"Just like with any crime, we try and catch the person who's doing it -- and for that we need the help of the citizens od Pontiac to be more alert to their surroundings and things that are going on around them," Fowlkes  said.

"When they see someone in a building where they're not supposed to be -- report it. Especially late at night," he said.

No injuries have been reported.

Fowlkes said residents should be alert when they smell smoke and call emergency workers at the first hint of fire. Fowlkes old The Detroit News youth may be responsible and believes there may be more than one arsonist since the fires have hit several parts of the city.

Fowlkes said officials still have not charged anyone in a series of about 20 fires set last summer in vacant buildings in Pontiac.
  
The Associated Press contributed to this report.