LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATE (June 22, 2021)
The Lynchburg Police Department is working with the Lynchburg Fire Department to locate the person responsible for dozens of fires.
On Tuesday police released the date, time and location of each reported fire and ask residents in these areas to check surveillance footage around the times of the fires to see if they have any video of the person.
“We are asking anyone that lives in the areas, around where these fires were set, to check their Ring cameras or any of their surveillance footage around those times to see if they got a picture or video of the suspect that they can provide to us or the fire marshal,” said Carrie Dungan, community relations coordinator for the Lynchburg Police Department.
From June 13 to June 20, a series of minor fires were set across the Hill City.
“We’ve been able to identify a vehicle of interest that has been seen in several of these areas, either prior to or right after a fire being started,” said Fire Chief Greg Wormser.
Authorities said the suspect drives a mid-2000s silver/gray Nissan Altima with a sunroof.
Below is a breakdown of the fires reported:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6/13/2021 | 7:28 p.m. | 109 Turner Lane |
| 6/14/2021 | 10:13 a.m. | 17th & Monroe Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 3:03 p.m. | 1911 Bransford Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 6:42 p.m. | Main Street & Buena Vista Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 9:27 p.m. | Harriston Street & 6th Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 9:57 p.m. | 900 8th Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 10:08 p.m. | 110 Easton Ave |
| 6/14/2021 | 10:30 p.m. | Ruffner Place & Essex Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 11:04 p.m. | 11th Street & Pierce Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 11:06 p.m. | 1521 Buchanan Street |
| 6/14/2021 | 11:14 p.m. | 10th Street & Taylor Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 10:07 a.m. | 17th & Monroe Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 11:31 a.m. | 1512 Pierce Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 11:37 a.m. | 1100 block of 11th Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 11:39 a.m. | 17th Street & Taylor Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 11:44 a.m. | 11th Street & Filmore Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 10:26 p.m. | Maple Street & Poplar Street |
| 6/15/2021 | 10:32 p.m. | 801 1st Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 1:28 a.m. | 1803 Boston Ave |
| 6/16/2021 | 8:14 a.m. | 17th Street & Taylor Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 8:49 a.m. | 15th Street & Jackson Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 9:17 a.m. | Fauquier Street & Early Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 5:26 p.m. | Monroe Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 7:56 p.m. | 201 Page Street |
| 6/16/2021 | 10:11 p.m. | 201 Page Street |
| 6/17/2021 | 10:48 a.m. | 800 block of Pierce Street |
| 6/20/2021 | 6:46 a.m. | 1309 14th Street |
| 6/20/2021 | 9:19 a.m. | 13th Street & Garfield Ave |
This remains an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at (434) 455-6375, Det. Dubie at (434) 455-6102, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Lynchburg Fire Marshal’s Office needs your help investigating several curbside fires.
Fire Chief Greg Wormser told 10 News Wednesday, June 16, that they’ve received 17 reports within 48 hours.
Investigators suggest that household items set by the curb for trash pick up, such as bed frames and other furniture, were set on fire. Authorities stated that the incidents primarily occurred in the middle of the Rivermont Avenue area and near Pierce Street and Buchanan Street.
“I feel if [those responsible] keep doing it, they may get hurt themselves, and we don’t want that. Nobody wants anymore violence; we’re trying to stop the violence,” said Eddie Kane, a concerned resident.
While the fires have been minor, officials report that they could easily get out of control.
“What we certainly don’t want to happen is for one of these fires to spread when it’s not noticed, and then it gets into somebody’s home, and that could certainly be catastrophic. So, we want to prevent injury, we want to prevent property loss,” said Wormser.
Authorities are asking the public to report if they see someone igniting a fire in an area or under circumstances where they know they shouldn’t.
“We are encouraging people to say something if they see something,” said Wormser. “We want to stop the people doing this before someone is seriously injured.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 434-455-6375 or the Emergency Communications non-emergency number, 434-847-1485. If the fire is active, please call 911.