Michigan Officials Say Serial Aronist at Work in Pontiac

Pontiac authorities say a serial arsonist is responsible for a spate of recent fires.

Since March, 16 unoccupied homes and apartments have been torched throughout the Detroit suburb about 20 miles north-northwest of Detroit. Eleven have been set ablaze during the past month.

Pontiac Fire Marshal Darryl Fowlkes tells The Detroit News all the fires happened between 12:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., and gathered evidence indicates the fires were “deliberately set.”

Investigators have not yet determined whether the fires were set as part of arson-for-profit schemes or by vandals. But concerned residents now are forced to deal with the charred remains and ongoing blight.

Pontiac arson investigators and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office are offering a $5,000 reward.

Anyone with information about the fires is being asked to call the Pontiac Fire Department at 248-758-3540 or the arson tipline at 1-800-442-7766.