Pair of arsons under investigation in Jackson

File photo.Nikos Frazier

JACKSON, MI – Police are investigating a pair of arson fires that may have been started by the same person early Sunday morning.

Fire crews were called at about 6 a.m. July 21, to a business in the 300 block of W. Michigan Avenue for a report of a Dumpster behind the business on fire, Jackson Director of Police and fire Services Elmer Hitt said.

Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and police, based off nearby surveillance video, determined the Dumpster had been intentionally set ablaze by an unknown man, Hitt said.

Three hours later, a business a block away reported finding a burnt towel wrapped around a door handle to the business, Hitt said.

Based off police initial findings, the towel had been wrapped around the doorknob sometime earlier in the morning and set on fire, causing minimal damage to the door before the fire snuffed itself out, Hitt said.

Given the nature of the incidents and their close proximity to each other, police suspect both fires may have been started by the same person, Hitt said.

No arrests have been made at this time and both arsons are still under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 517-788-4100.

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