String of Arson Fires in Sunnyvale
SUNNYVALE, Calif. (KCBS) _ Arson investigators from Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety are looking for someone they call "a person of interest," who was seen near one of a string of arson fires.
Captain Dave Pitts said that a series of fires back in May was followed by another series earlier this month.
"There was a person that was seen in the area and running from the area," said Pitts. "We want to be able to identify this person and be able to talk to him as to what he can tell us about those fires."
Pitts said the fires have all been set in the central part of the city, with a total of 15 in all.
Authorities said they appear to be growing in both number and severity, with nine set in the early morning hours of September 1.
One of those was set to a car, which had a sleeping person inside. That occupant was rescued by police just before the vehicle's interior caught fire.
The fires have been set in an area bordered by Fair Oaks, Arbutus, Grand Fir and Garland.
The person of interest is described as a Hispanic male, 19 to 20 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a slender build.
