Serial Arsonist Sought in Long Beach Fires

A serial arsonist has started at least 19 fires in Long Beach since Friday and while most were in yards or alleys, police Tuesday said one ignited home was occupied at the time and they have alerted the public to secure their premises.

Long Beach Fire and Police departments are investigating the case in which they believe one man has set the fires. The first known fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. Friday in the 1700 block of Orizaba Avenue, said Sgt. Rico Fernandez. A vehicle was set on fire.

Most of the fires have been set in darkness when most people are sleeping, and because they burn rather silently, it makes them difficult to detect in the middle of the night, hence the community warning.

After the April 15 fire, at least 18 more fires have been reported that investigators believe were started by the same person. "The fires range from garages, sheds, vehicles, trash cans and trash dumpsters, and occurred mostly in alleys and yards," Fernandez said in a press statement.  "However, in one instance the suspect started a fire inside of an occupied home."

The lead fire captain, Pat Wills, said Tuesday night that he could share little information for the time being.

All but one of the fires was reported between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The single incident that occurred outside of this time frame was at approximately 3:45 p.m., in a back alley of the 1000 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

Across a wide swath, the fires have been reported from Atlantic Avenue and Broadway East to a few blocks shy of the Traffic Circle, and down as far as Pacific Coast Highway and Redondo Avenue. Police described these areas as South and East but only so far as the department quarters the city for patrol assignments.

Investigators have little description of the suspect with which to work beyond that the suspect is an adult male. The arsonist has not only burned two properties, he burglarized two homes, Fernandez said. 

"The Long Beach Police and Fire Departments would like to remind the community to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety at night. Secure the doors and windows before going to sleep and if you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately," the statement read. "If anyone has any information about this series of arson incidents, they are encouraged to call the Long Beach Fire Department’s Arson Hotline at (562) 570-2582. Anonymous tips can be submitted also via text or email at www.
longbeach.gov/police.