Public's Help Sought to Solve Series of Intentionally Set Fires in Swampscott, Massachusetts

Fires have all been reported in same neighborhood

The Massachusetts state fire marshal and officials in Swampscott are asking for the public’s help to solve a series of intentionally set fires that occurred in the past month.

Authorities said the fires took place near the Swampscott Housing Authority Development on Doherty Circle.

The last one happened Friday night in a newspaper distribution box at 205 Burrill Street, in a building which contained apartments upstairs.

On October 1, firefighters responded to a motor vehicle fire at 59 Doherty Circle early in the morning. The blaze was determined to be intentionally set.

Over the past month there have also been a number of fires in plastic recycling bins in the same neighborhood.

“These may seem like small fires, but all fires start small and every fire was the potential to cause serious harm,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the confidential Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229. The hotline is part of the Arson Watch Reward Program that provides rewards of UP TO $5,000 for information that helps to solve the case.

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