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Arsonist Suspected In San Jose Dumpster Fire

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Yet another trash bin was set ablaze in West San Jose, just hours after firefighters canvassed the area Wednesday to identify a serial arsonist suspected of igniting several other trash bins and starting a couple of grass fires since September.

The fire was set around 8 p.m. in the 1100 block of Delna Manor Lane. Eight other fires have been intentionally set in the area around Downing and South Bascom avenues, according to the San Jose Fire Department.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

Residents quickly put out the Wednesday night fire even before firefighters arrived on scene.

After the arson fire Monday night, the Fire Department decided to hand out flyers and knock on doors to generate leads in the case. Although none of the fires has caused serious damage, firefighters say any of them could have turned into a house fire.

"What scares me," said neighbor Judy Casero, are people who illegally "put big pieces of furniture along here, especially mattresses."

The first fire set Sept. 26. follows another string of arson fires over the summer.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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