Arsonist Wanted For Central Park Fires, Police Say

NEW YORK — An arsonist may have set multiple Central Park brush fires that startled visitors and sent plumes of smoke rising into the air Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Flames first erupted at the northern edge of the park about 1:20 p.m and it took firefighters nearly two hours to extinguish the blaze, an FDNY spokesperson said.

Police now seek a man in green pants, a black jacket and a black hooded shirt who was seen setting fires near West 107th Street and Central Park West, the NYPD told Patch.

Photos posted to social media showed thick clouds of smoke gathering around the North Woods. Writer Ross Kenneth Urken posted photos that appeared to show a wooded area covered by flames as firefighters responded.

The blaze was under control about 3 p.m. and no injuries were reported, according to an FDNY alert and spokesperson.

Writer Emma Lord said on Twitter she'd been planning on a Central Park stroll when confronted by the fire.

"Me going for a silly little walk...: at least there's always central park," Lord joked. "central park [sic]: *literally on fire right now*."