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Arsonists strike three times in one week

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fire officials said an arsonist is to blame for a blaze set early Friday morning. It was so massive that it could be seen from as far as six blocks.

It happened on the 1000 block of Udell Street, just north of downtown. The same person is suspected of setting another home on fire not far away.

Earlier in the week, an arsonist set fire to a Wayne Township home, authorities said.

This all comes at the end of Arson Awareness Week. Officials want to send a message: even though most of these begin in vacant homes, arson is not a victim-less crime.

Indianapolis Fire Department officials said an arsonist set fire to a vacant home on the 1000 block of Udell Street. Next door, four kids and their parents were sleeping as their house was melting from the intensity.

Everyone made it out safely but damage is estimated around $20,000 and $70,000 for the vacant home. It’s so bad on Udell that the home is now sandwiched between a house that was already burnt and now with Friday’s fire, another.

“Look what it done to their house there. It burnt all the siding off. This was a hot fire. This was a two story house. A nice house. It just caved in. It was hot, had to be,” said Michael Thomas who lives nearby.

Authorities believe that same person set fire to a vacant home nearby. Earlier in the week, officials in Wayne Township said an arsonist started a blaze in a home with people inside. One man was seriously injured.

IFD reports that the number of fires has gone down each year since 2013. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. From January through April of this year, IFD responded to 459 fires. 70 were ruled arson and 36% of those are still under investigation.

“These homes are built very close together and if you have a fire next door, trust me, it’s going to terrorize you and you are going to be a victim,” said Jim Albin of IFD.

Becoming a victim is what neighbors hope to avoid.

“Dangerous people on the loose around here. I hope they catch him,” said Thomas.

IFD and IMPD are teaming up. They’re asking people to report suspicious activity by calling Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS. They’re giving out $1,000 rewards for information leading to the arrests of these arsonist.