Press Release  Fitchburg and State Officials Investigating Three Suspicious Fires

FITCHBURG — Three recent fires on Blossom Street, Day Street, and Myrtle Avenue are being investigated as arson, local and state officials said today. According to Fitchburg Fire Chief Dante W. Suarez, Fitchburg Police Chief Steven D. Giannini, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, yesterday’s fire on Myrtle Avenue is not believed to be connected to the earlier fires.

“We are asking anyone with information on these fires to share it with the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229,” said Chief Suarez. “All calls are confidential and you can remain anonymous if you prefer.”

The Arson Watch Reward Program is coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that prevents, detects, or solves arson crimes.

“Setting a fire isn’t just property damage, it’s a potentially deadly act that endangers families, neighbors, and first responders”, said Chief Giannini.  “I’m asking everyone in our community to stay alert and pay attention to anything unusual in your surroundings.  If you see something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and report it.  If you have any information about these incidents, no matter how minor it may seem, please come forward.  Even the smallest detail could make a difference.”

Two of the fires took place on February 14 and 15 in a large apartment building with entrances at 43 Blossom Street and 40 Day Street. Fitchburg firefighters successfully extinguished both fires before they could spread substantially. The third took place yesterday about half a mile away at a multi-family home at 164 Myrtle Avenue and went to two alarms. One person suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and seven people were displaced.

“The Fitchburg Fire Department, Fitchburg Police, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office are jointly investigating all three of these incidents,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “We’ve reached the point where we can confidently say that they were intentionally set. We have not reached a determination as to whether the fires on Blossom and Day streets are related, but we always consider a link when suspicious fires are reported in close proximity.”

Investigators have posted placards with the Arson Watch Reward Program’s hotline posted at all three fire scenes.

###