UPDATE: REDLANDS > A fire bug may be on the loose in Redlands. Authorities counted six fires that were deliberately set during a 2-hour
period early Wednesday. All occurred in an area bounded by Colton Avenue, Lugonia Avenue, Church Street and Orange Street. Some of the fires involved dry grass, refuse and fences. At least two vehicles were set ablaze. Two garages were damaged. There were no reported injuries. Fire investigators said that each fire was intentionally set.
REDLANDS >> Fire officials are investigating a string of early morning fires on the city’s north side as arson, authorities said Wednesday.
The fires were concentrated in the area bordered by Colton Avenue, Lugonia Avenue, Church Street and Orange Street, the first of which was reported just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to a Redlands Fire Department statement.
For Frank Wilson, his 1987 Mercedes was supposed to get him to his new job starting Monday. Instead Wilson is trying to figure out how to get a new car.
“The most disappointing thing I lost out of this car is my daughter’s picture. I used to drive with it every day. It was my motivation,” Wilson said.
Despite the loss of his only vehicle, Wilson remains upbeat about his future, saying, “As we speak, I’m turning a plan!”
The first fire was reported at 1:56 a.m. in an alley in the 1200 block of Tribune Street, where officials said vegetation, a fence, refuse and some furniture that was stored outside burned.
The second fire was discovered about 30 minutes later in front of a garage in an alley in the 1100 block of Alta Street and damaged the building and items stored in and around the building, according to the statement.
The next fire report came in five minutes later in front of a garage in an alley less than a mile from the Alta Street blaze in the 800 block of North Church Street. That fire also caused damage to the building and surrounding items, authorities said.
The fourth fire, which destroyed Wilson’s vehicle, was discovered at 2:45 a.m. in the 900 block of Lombard Street by firefighters responding to the fire on North Church Street. Fire officials say it was set inside of a vehicle and caused significant smoke and heat damage to the interior.
Evidence of a fifth fire was reported just before 7 a.m. in an alley in the 800 block of Post Street. Investigators determined the fire had been set earlier in the morning but was not discovered until after sunrise. The fire burned vegetation and debris near an outbuilding.
A sixth fire reported at 7:45 a.m. destroyed Cody McCormick’s vehicle in an alley in the 1000 block of Tribune Street.
McCormick was awakened by his brother pounding on the door.
“ ‘You better wake up right now! Your car is on fire!’ ” McCormick said his brother called out to him early Wednesday morning.
A carport across the alley from McCormick’s car was also set ablaze.
No one was injured in any of the incidents, officials said.
It was the second time in a little more than a month that authorities have investigated an arson fire in the city.
In early July, three teens were arrested for allegedly setting a utility shed and construction equipment on fire.
Investigators have determined all six fires were intentionally set between 1 and 3 a.m. Wednesday and the investigation is ongoing.
The Redlands Fire Department asks anyone with information on any of the fires to contact the investigation unit at 909-798-7600.