BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for a dozen arson fires in Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood since Oct. 2.
No civilians or firefighters have been injured in the blazes, which mostly have been set in automobiles, trash containers and vacant structures. But firefighters are always at risk while extinguishing fires, said Capt. Dan Rottmueller.
“The possibility is there, very much so,” Capt. Rottmueller, of the Cincinnati Fire Division's investigative unit, said Monday.
Concern has spread through the community, too.
“Obviously, people are concerned,” Terry Bazeley, president of the Northside Community Council, said Monday. “Hopefully, the reward will get someone to tell who it is.”
The first fires occurred a few days after an Oct. 1 fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man, Antonio Shafer, during a street fight near the intersection of Witler and Hanfield streets. The street fight drew a crowd of as many as 35 people to the 4100 block of Witler Street. A 14-year-old boy was charged in the stabbing. Investigators are considering whether that incident might have been a catalyst for the fires. “The possibility is there, but nothing is proven,” Capt. Rottmueller said.
Although no civilians have been injured, a number were put at risk by a fire started in a neighboring vacant structure, the fire investigator said.
On Nov. 23, firefighters rescued four people from an apartment building at 4018 Apple St. that was threatened by a fire in an attached garage. That fire, whichcaused $5,000 damage, was later determined to be purposely set.
The latest in the string of fires occurred late Sunday. Firefighters responded to a one-alarm fire in a vacant two-story house at 4133 Mad Anthony St. at 11:23 p.m. and found heavy fire on the first floor. Damage was estimated at $10,000.
Seven fires were started in Northside in the early-morning hours of Oct. 4. The fires, started in trash containers, trash cans, a car and banquet hall between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., caused a total of about $30,000 in damages.
Based on conversations with police and fire officials and residents, “We think it's probably juveniles,” community council President Bazeley said. “Obviously it's the same person. They (those responsible) don't go (to set fires) where anybody can possibly see them.”
A reward of up to $5,000 for information on those responsible for the Northside arsons is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Fund.
Firefighters are passing out fliers in the neighborhood advising of the reward and urging residents to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040. Callers may remain anonymous.
