Photo Gallery
Suspected arson cases
A look at some of the apartment buildings targeted in a string of recent suspected arson cases in Lawrence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in a string of suspected arsons, according to a news release issued Friday morning by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
The reward increase, which had previously been $5,000, comes a day after another suspected arson case in south-central Lawrence.
Mark Bradford, chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, said Friday that an early Thursday morning trash can fire in the 2500 block of Redbud Lane at the Park Plaza South apartment complex, is the latest suspected arson.
Police and fire crews responded to the call about 12:20 a.m. Thursday, when a caller reported seeing a man put something in the trash can, which then burned. When police found it, the trash can was smoldering.
The fire was located just a few blocks from a string of suspected arsons that have been reported in the area.
Thursday's fire is one of 19 suspected arsons since Oct. 19 in a several block area in Lawrence, according to Friday's news release.
Most of the fires have been close to occupied apartment buildings, but have been small and easily extinguished, and no injuries have been reported.
Bradford also confirmed that a Dec. 22 fire in the 2400 block of Alabama Street was also consistent with the other suspected arson.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical at 785-830-7065, the Lawrence Police Department at 785-830-7430 or the TIPS Hotline at 785-843-TIPS (8477).
Comments
Renaissance 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Do any Lawrence apartments have security cameras?
Pete_Schweti 4 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm pretty sure the area homeowners will offer $10K for any witnesses to keep quiet and let this play itself out.
Bursting 4 months, 3 weeks ago
You sir, are out of your mind.
kernal 4 months, 2 weeks ago
He doesn't warrant being called sir.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in a string of suspected arsons, according to a news release issued Friday morning by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.
glad for the increase, but honestly, once this guy harms somebody, the pricetag goes way above this!
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Most of the fires have been close to occupied apartment buildings, but have been small and easily extinguished, and no injuries have been reported.
---some were inside apartments.
and in at least one fire, I know two victims, the situation got awefully close to injury indeed!
plus, the turse language here tends to understate the amount of fear this is causing residents in that area. it also understates the amount of stress caused by displacement cauxsde by these fires. fortunately mostly people haven't been displaced, so far.
Ian_Cummings 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Officials have not been releasing details about the fires — location, materials — because of the ongoing investigation. And certainly, any fires inside or around an occupied building should be cause for alarm.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
about 12:20 a.m. Thursday, when a caller reported seeing a man put something in the trash can, which then burned.
---if I am not mistaken, this is big news! a witness has seen somebody directly linked to a fire in this string!
this is good news.
Ian_Cummings 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Unfortunately, the caller did not pick up the phone when police called back to talk more about what they had seen. So, still no description of a suspect.
jrswift 4 months, 2 weeks ago
If I ever see this guy, I'm going to light his a** on fire and see if anyone comes to put him out.
Dusty 4 months, 2 weeks ago
I wish they would give us a description or what we should be looking for regarding this guy, a profile or whatever. Waiting for this guy to confess or brag to someone he knows may never happen.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Ian_Cummings 2 hours, 17 minutes ago
Officials have not been releasing details about the fires — location, materials — because of the ongoing investigation. And certainly, any fires inside or around an occupied building should be cause for
---thanks Ian, yes, I know the officials have to keep things close to the vest.
caughtinthemiddle 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Hey, I know who it was. It was that one guy!
Please send me my check. Thank you.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Ian_Cummings 2 hours, 29 minutes ago
Unfortunately, the caller did not pick up the phone when police called back to talk more about what they had seen. So, still no description of a suspe
---Ian, thanks for updating on this story. I sincerely appreciate hat. I am disappointed to read this.
small point you're using "they" when you really mean "he or she." thanks.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
---bet if they had a description, they'd put one out.
bearded_gnome 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Pete_Schweti 21 hours, 36 minutes ago
I'm pretty sure the area homeowners will offer $10K for any witnesses to keep quiet and let this play itself out.
---Shame on you!
yes there's one heckuva lot of crime in that area.
but there are many innocent people who live there too.
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