Rash Of San Fernando Valley Fires May Be The Work Of Serial Arsonist

RESEDA, CA — After a rash of fires in Reseda, police and fire officials are looking at the possibility of a serial arsonist operating in the area.

More than a dozen fires have occurred in the Reseda area over the past three days and police and fire officials are investigating to see if the blazes are connected, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

At least six fires were reported in a two hour time period from 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11 until to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, Humphrey said, adding that most of the fires were started around Reseda Boulevard and Vanowen Street.

"We have 14 fires that were suspicious that involved rubbish, debris and vegetation in the Reseda area," Humphrey said. "No injuries have been reported in the fires, he said.

While the fire department has not officially determined the blazes are the result of a single serial arsonist or are arson at all, they are investigating to see if the fires are connected, Humphrey said.

"We have not yet determined a specific nexus between any of those 14 fires," he said. "The idea that 14 people came out and started 14 separate fires, of course, that is something we are pursuing but we have to make sure we connect them, that its not a copycat or some other issue."

Humphrey said the department has plain clothes investigators working in the area throughout the night and into the morning gathering evidence and identifying any person or persons who may be involved.

Anyone with any information regarding the fires should call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

City News Service contributed to this story.