Chicago Police are investigating a series of arson fires in the North Center and Uptown neighborhoods that began in early October.
On Oct. 30, Arson Section detectives released a community alert warning of fires intentionally set with an open flame involving city garbage receptacles, discarded mattresses and discarded paper boxes.
The fires happened:
- at 4:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in the 4700 block of North Magnolia;
- at 7:37 p.m. Oct. 11 in the 2800 block of North Damen;
- at 3:20 p.m. Oct. 12 in the 3000 block of North Hoyne;
- at 9:15 p.m. Oct. 12 in the 2000 block of West Wellington;
- at 10:35 p.m. Oct. 17 in the 1300 block of West Wolfram;
- at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the 1400 block of West Diversey; and
- and at 6 a.m. Oct. 28 in the 2900 block of North Lincoln.
Then, about 3 a.m. Sunday, several garages and garbage cans in the 2800 block of North Damen were set on fire, police said.
32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack, whose office is coordinating with Chicago Police, said authorities believe the suspect is a juvenile.
The fires are being investigated along with several other arsons in the area, and detectives are “optimistic about leads at this time,” police said.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call detectives at (312) 746-7618.
