DAYTON, Ohio --
After five more vacant homes catch fire in Dayton, fire department leaders say it's time for the people setting the blazes to stop.
District Chief Vincent Wiley said, "They're going to get somebody killed. They need to be thrown in jail."
More than 70 first responders battled five burning houses at two locations on East Third Street and Springfield Street early Monday morning.
Because of reductions in staff over the years, Wiley said large fires now require the Dayton Fire Department to actually call other departments for help to fight the blaze and cover other incidents.
"That's something years ago we never had to do," Wiley said. "That by its very nature creates a much longer response time and it leaves neighboring communities uncovered. It stretches the resources of not just the city but the region as a whole."
Dayton is on pace to have more than eighty vacant house fire this year, most of them arson.
Resident Clark Bandy said, "It's a waste. It's also sad."
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