Investigators suspect three small fires that occurred within a
12-hour time frame this week in the Hollister area
– two of them within five minutes – were started by the same
culprits and with no motive.
All three fires happened between Tuesday afternoon and early
Wednesday morning. They were ignited on the homes’ porches using
some type of flammable liquids, Fire Marshal Mike O’Connor
suspects.
Investigators suspect three small fires that occurred within a 12-hour time frame this week in the Hollister area – two of them within five minutes – were started by the same culprits and with no motive.
All three fires happened between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning. They were ignited on the homes’ porches using some type of flammable liquids, Fire Marshal Mike O’Connor suspects.
All the residents escaped without injury and the flames were contained before entering the homes or causing major damage. But investigators are perplexed at the bizarre nature of the crimes and their potential link.
“We have some information, but there are no suspects,” said O’Connor, who said the investigation is ongoing.
He said the fires are under investigation as arsons with a likelihood of felony charges if any suspect is caught. With evidence showing similar means was used to ignite the fires, along with the close timing, O’Connor said all three were probably carried out by one person or group.
O’Connor is spearheading the investigation along with Kurt Itson, an investigator with the state’s fire protection authority, the California Department of Forestry. The Hollister Police Department is also involved.
“Because of the seriousness of this, (Itson) is involved,” O’Connor said.
Tuesday afternoon, Hollister’s fire and police departments responded to a porch fire at 1295 San Benito St. The stoop on Thursday did not show signs of destruction.
The police report had not been completed and the family could not be reached before press time. But O’Connor confirmed its similar nature to the ensuing fires. At 2:10 a.m. Wednesday, the county dispatcher relayed a porch fire at 45 Sunrise Drive, west of Fairview Road near St. Benedict’s Church, according to a Sheriff’s report. The 18-year-old son of the homeowner promptly extinguished the flames, according to the report. Afterward, deputies reported smelling a strong gas odor and found a pack of matches.
“While in route to the fire on Sunrise,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Turturici, “county communication advised the Hollister Police Department to respond to 1191 El Toro Drive.”
That second call was at 2:14 a.m., four minutes after the call to Sunrise Drive. The home’s family awoke from a smoke alarm. Police arrived and, with the help of the homeowners’ father, put out the flames using a garden hose.
On Thursday, the home at 1191 El Toro Drive had visible smoke and fire damage to its front porch area. A mat was still scorched black, its siding marked by smoke and the front door’s paint blistering – while an insurance company representative surveyed the damage.
“Why would somebody do this?” he wondered.
The mother of the household, which includes her husband and their daughter, said the family declined comment.
At 45 Sunrise Drive, a door mat showed a burnt corner, and several black lines streaked the stoop. But no other visible signs of damage remained. The family there also declined comment.
O’Connor said investigators are also considering a possible link to a car fire last week, along with a burglary of office equipment and a van at the Community Pantry food bank last weekend, he said. A pickup truck’s door owned by the nonprofit organization was also marked with a swastika – a Nazi emblem.
“It has been a consideration. It came up with detectives in conversation,” O’Connor said. “When things start going wrong, we start looking at all avenues.”
In relative terms, the fires this week indeed signaled an unusual string of local crimes – one officials hope does not continue. There have been a total of 12 arson reports since Jan. 1 before the four in one week, according to Capt. Bob Brooks of the Hollister Police Department.
O’Connor said a rash of arson usually occurs about once a year. Two years ago, nine cars were ignited and suspected as the work of one group. They included a vehicle burn at two different schools – Pinnacles Community School and Gabilan Hills School.
And seven years ago, he pointed out how arsonists firebombed the old District Attorney’s Office building located on the corner of Sixth and Monterey streets.
Anyone with information about the fires should call O’Connor at 636-4325.
