Another four fires discovered early Saturday
were blamed on a serial arsonist believed to be responsible for at least 17
torchings since January 1 outside Philadelphia, a local newspaper reported, dpa reported.
Over the past year, more than 30 intentionally-set fires have hit the
Coatesville community, just west of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Inquirer
reported online.
"Someone had pulled the trash can up to our back door and set it afire,"
one woman told CNN.
Dozens of families have been made homeless, while others have fled the area in
fear, news reports said.
The investigation now includes local justice and fire officials as well as the Pennsylvania state police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
"These fires share a commonality with the fires already under
investigation, but at this point we will not say that they are directly linked
to the arsonist or arsonists in Coatesville," ATF agent John Hageman was
quoted as saying.
...