CARMICHAEL, CA – Firefighters, arson investigators and sheriff’s deputies spent Thursday morning responding to a dozen arsons in Carmichael.
Sacramento Metro Fire Capt. Christian Pebbles said most of the fires were set outside in a two-mile radius.
“They seem to be getting closer to occupied homes and that’s our main concern,” Pebbles said. “In the early morning hours, we have a lot of people sleeping in apartment complexes and many of them don’t have working smoke alarms.”
Pebbles said even though no injuries were reported from the fires, fire crews were concerned about keeping residents safe.
“This person is out of control,” Pebbles said. “We have to stop him.”
The first fire broke out about 12:45 a.m. at Winston Churchill Middle School at the corner of Foster Way and Whitney Avenue. It was an exterior fire that damaged the back wall of the gym.
According to Pebbles, the arsonist took wooden stakes from newly planted trees, stacked them tee pee style against the wall with trash, and set them on fire. Principal Michael Dolan said the fire will not impact school operations Thursday.
Parent Murgesu Vinayagamoorthy said, “It’s really sad that people can do those things to our community and then to a school like that.”
Just after 3 a.m., a fence fire was reported in the 6300 block of Kenneth Avenue. According to broadcasts on the fire dispatch radio, crews responding to that fire came upon a palm tree ablaze a few doors down from the fence fire. They put that fire out, and then responded to the fence fire. Neighbors report hearing what sounded like kids partying in the area about the time the fire broke out.
Then about 3:15 a.m., a truck fire was reported in an apartment complex in the 4700 block of Marconi Avenue.
“We heard the popping. I didn’t know someone was getting shot or if it was fireworks. Then, I saw the smoke and the flames,” said David Schwartz, who lived in the apartment complex.
As firefighters finished putting that fire out, they spotted a brush fire behind another apartment complex a few doors down.
Witnesses saw several juveniles in the area.
Other than the school fire, firefighters say damage was minor in all the fires.
Still, the incidents taxed fire crews. “There was absolutely no reason for it. It’s a crime against the community and a waste of resources,” said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Rice. “If you have a problem at your house, how long do you think it will take us to get there. We have companies out of position.”
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