DETROIT --
A suspected serial arsonist has struck again in Detroit, this time setting nearly two dozen homes on fire.
Tuesday, homeowners in two Detroit neighborhoods were warned about some 30 fires that had taken place since Sunday.
According to investigators, all of the fires have occurred in vacant or abandoned homes. The fires have been in two primary areas; Seven Mile Road and Gratiot, and near Van Dyke and Mack Avenue.
"It says vacant (on the home), but you never know if someone's in there," said Detroit resident Eileen Denard. "You just pray."
The fires set Tuesday night and Wednesday morning were in the area of Mack and Townsend. Investigators said there were about 30 fires in that area, which is not far from the other fire locations. It's believed the same suspect is to blame for all of the fires.
Detroit Fire official Armando Gennari said homeless people have been known to accidentally set fires while trying to keep warm, but he believes the recent fires are all linked to the same arson suspect.
Homeowners said the slow response is also a concern.
Denard said during the earlier fires,"It had to have been a good 40 minutes before the firefighters even got here."
Officials admit the department is stretched thin and said the recent rash of fires is four times the normal number.
"We could use some extra recruits," said Gennari. "Our manpower is a little low. We could use some extra help."
So far, no one has been hurt as a result of the fires.
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