DURHAM, N.C. -- A series of intentionally set fires outside businesses and a school in the Ninth Street area of West Durham is upsetting merchants and forcing firefighters to make frequent trips to put them out.
At least eight late-night fires have been set in Dumpsters, trash cans and donation bins near the buildings since Sept. 1. No one has been hurt.
One business, The UPS Store at 811 Ninth St., has been hit by arsonists at least three times, according to manager John McConahay. All involved outdoor trash bins.
McConahay said during one of the arsons, five bins were set afire in the back of his building. He believes someone used gasoline to start them.
"It's probably some juvenile punk," he said. "That's my opinion."
Durham police and fire inspectors are investigating.
"We have teamed up with the Durham Police Department to find out more about these apparent arsons," Chief Bruce Pagan of the Durham Fire Department said Wednesday. "If anyone has information regarding who is causing these dangerous acts, please call the Police Department."
In addition to the three fires at The UPS Store this month, these arsons have been reported:
-- Sept. 1 at 12:54 a.m. A fire was set in the doorway of a business at Ninth and Green streets.
-- Sept. 4. A fire started in a trash container near Blue Ridge Realty at 811 Ninth St. Police said they don't know when it was set.
-- Sept. 10 at 11:52 p.m. A fire started in a Dumpster at E.K. Powe Elementary School at 913 Ninth St., across the street from Durham fire station No. 2.
-- Sept. 10 at 12:32 a.m. A fire started in two trash cans by Dales Indian Cuisine, 811 Ninth St.
-- Monday at 12:04 a.m. A fire started in a clothing donation bin at Blu Seafood and Bar at Ninth Street and Hillsborough Road.
CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in the fires. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Carnevale at 919-560-4582, ext. 29239 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.
Copyright 2012 - The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
