San Jose Trash Can Arsonist Strikes Again
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - A serial arsonist plaguing a West San Jose neighborhood with trash bin fires since September apparently caused another dumpster fire on Thursday night, fire officials said.
The fire on Delna Manor Lane around 7:30 p.m. Thursday came just 24 hours after the previous fire. In all, 10 dumpster fires have been set in back alleys in the area since Sept. 26, said San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mary Gutierrez.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
"You might think that it's simple in setting a garbage fire, or a bush on fire. However that can easily extend to a business or a home and cause extensive property damage and loss of life," she said.
Firefighters and police officers have stepped up their patrols around Downing and Bascom avenues, and asked businesses and residents to keep their eyes pealed for suspicious activity.
"We're definitely on the lookout," said Cain Miller, who manages a nearby paint store.
Fire officials canvassed the area this week to talk to residents and business owners about the arsons.
"We've had the fire marshal come here and they dropped papers off for us," Miller said.
The Fire Department has also considered offering a reward for information since the $1,000 reward offered for an arson investigation last summer was never given out.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
