Arson Suspected in Rash of Recent Fires

Over the past two nights, a handful of suspicious fires in North Lufkin have been responded to by the Lufkin Fire Department.  Officials believe these fires to be the work of an arsonist(s) and law enforcement is looking to the public for help in solving these crimes. 

The official release detailing the fires follows:

The Lufkin Fire Department is currently investigating multiple arson and attempted arson incidents that occurred Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in a North Lufkin neighborhood.

At approximately 4:45 AM on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, Lufkin Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible attempted arson incident at a residence located at 906 O'Quinn Avenue. Lufkin Police Department officers responded to the residence and found a burn mark on the exterior of the residence that appeared to have been caused by a burning object being placed or thrown against the exterior of the residence. Prior to the officers' arrival, the resident, who was inside the residence at the time of the incident, extinguished the fire.

At approximately 5:20 AM on Tuesday, November 13, the Communication Center received a report of a fire at a vacant residence located at 1401 Keltys Street. Lufkin Police Department officers arrived and found flames at the rear of the residence. Lufkin Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire.

At approximately 6:15 AM on Tuesday, the Communication Center received a report of a vehicle fire at 1000 Hosea Dolphus Sr. Avenue. Lufkin Fire Department personnel extinguished lumber that they found burning in the bed of the vehicle, a pickup truck.

At approximately 3:50 AM on Wednesday, November 14, the Communication Center received a report of a fire at a vacant residence located near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Keltys Street. Responding Police and Fire personnel located three structures on fire - a residence and garage apartment located at 916 Wilson Avenue and a residence located at 914 Wilson Avenue - all three structures were vacant. Lufkin Fire Marshal Steve McCool stated that his preliminary investigation indicates that the fire originated at 914 Wilson Avenue and spread to the two structures at 916 Wilson Avenue. The fire destroyed the structure at 914 Wilson Avenue.

At this time, the fires appear to be the result of arson but no reports of injury have been received. Lufkin Fire Marshal Steve McCool is leading the investigation and Lufkin Police Department has assigned multiple officers to assist the Fire Marshal in the investigation and to conduct targeted patrols of the area in marked and unmarked vehicles.

Anyone with information concerning these fires or the identity of the person(s) responsible for setting the fires can provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers of Lufkin at (936) 639-TIPS or by submitting an anonymous tip at www.LufkinCrimeStoppers.com. Crime Stoppers Tipsters never have to give their name and Crime Stoppers may pay a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest related to these crimes.