Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Public Safety

More Arson Fires Erupt In City Heights

A police officer is pictured extinguishing a fire in a commercial garbage bin in City Heights, March 31, 2015.
10News
A police officer is pictured extinguishing a fire in a commercial garbage bin in City Heights, March 31, 2015.

A pair of apparent arson fires erupted early Tuesday in City Heights, a neighborhood that has been plagued by a series of intentionally set blazes this month.

Someone torched two discarded mattresses in the 5200 Landis Street shortly before 1 a.m. and ignited the contents of a commercial garbage bin a block away about a half-hour later, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Engine crews and police officers with fire extinguishers were able to quickly douse both blazes, which caused combined damages of roughly $1,000, SDFRD Capt. Joe Amador said.

Advertisement

At least a dozen maliciously set fires have erupted in recent weeks in the same general area south of University Avenue and west of 54th Street. The Metro Arson Strike Team is investigating the series of blazes, which have caused no significant structural damage.

"There have been some pretty close calls," Amador said.

Citing concerns about compromising the ongoing MAST investigation, the captain declined to disclose if any suspects in the case have been identified.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.