A suspected arsonist in San Jose reportedly set two more fires early Sunday morning.
According to authorities, the individual responsible for the blazes has started 13 fires in the area since Wednesday. No injuries were initially reported during the Sunday morning fires, though an elderly couple had an extremely close call during another blaze on Saturday.
While police don’t have any suspects in the case, they do have a vague description of a suspicious individual spotted near the scene of these incidents. Authorities explained that they’re on the lookout for a very thin man who they believe is responsible for the blazes.
During a press conference on Saturday, San Jose Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Sapien indicated that the arsonist probably isn’t finished setting fires in the area. People should report any suspicious activity to police, particularly during the early morning hours.
“These fires have targeted San Jose residents in the darkest hours of the night, when they are most vulnerable. We have been very fortunate that these fires have not resulted in serious injury or death to our residents. Should these fires continue, I fear this good fortune may run out,” he explained.
Brown continued, “Keep your eyes and ears open. We’ll be asking residents to be aware of their surroundings, keep their homes well lit, with motion sensors and smoke detectors — and if they see anything, call 911. The word is getting out. It’s just a matter of time.”
While Brown said that authorities were examining footage of the suspect and interviewing witnesses about the fires, he admitted that police don’t have a motive for these fires just yet. The arsonist has targeted everything from residential homes to churches.
The San Jose Fire Department is presently circulating a sketch of the man they believe is responsible for 13 blazes set in area. According to the San Jose Mercury News , officials describe the suspect as “a white or Latino man, age 25 to 40, at least 6 feet tall and weighing 160 to 180 pounds” who wears glasses and baggy clothing.
Check out the sketch below.
San Jose Fire released sketch of person of interest who might be behind string of house fires. http://t.co/vTrIvdltNR pic.twitter.com/Xyh4yxgIuf
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) January 11, 2014
San Jose city council member Sam Liccardo urged residents to clear any flammable liquids and material from their yards for the time being. He added that the city would help people get batteries and smoke detectors if they are currently unable to afford them.
San Jose authorities are offering a $10,000 award for any information that leads to the arrest of the man responsible for setting these fires.
[Image via Wikimedia Commons ]