LAKEVIEW — Ten fires set in Lakeview and North Center on Sunday have prompted police to issue a warning to the North Side.
Police said offenders are using discarded items like mattresses and sofas, along with city trash bins, to ignite the fires. Since Oct. 4, police say 18 suspected arson cases could be connected.
Linked to Sunday's rash of fires are seven that were set in October and one set around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2838 N. Damen Ave.
See where and when police suspect fires were set on the North Side:
One fire at 4732 N. Magnolia Ave. was included on the alert but might not be related, Sgt. Jason Clark told neighbors Monday night.
No one was in custody as of Monday night.
Some fires that start in the garbage bins have ignited garages, Clark said. Police are asking neighbors to be on the alert for "people who are loitering in an alley, up to no good," he said.
Five fires were reportedly set between 9:46 and 10 p.m. Sunday.
"These aren't 'wee hours' fires. These are fires being started when a lot of us are around," Clark said.
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) asked residents in an email Monday to review video surveillance footage and secure trash bins until the day of garbage pickup to prevent more fires.
The Crime in Wrigleyville + Boystown blog first reported the suspected arsons on Sunday.
The complete list of incidents included in the police alert are:
October:
4732 N. Magnolia Ave., Oct. 4, 4:30 a.m.
2838 N. Damen Ave., Oct. 11, 7:37 p.m.
3000 N. Hoyne Ave., Oct. 12, 3:20 p.m.
2015 W. Wellington Ave., Oct. 12, 9:15 p.m.
1337 W. Wolfram St., Oct. 17, 10:35 p.m.
1420 W. Diversey Parkway, Oct. 17, 11:30 p.m.
2936 N. Lincoln Ave., Oct. 28, 6 a.m.
November:
2838 N. Damen Ave., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
1515 W. George St., Nov. 8, 1:25 a.m.
2915 N. Ashland Ave., Nov. 8, 1:30 a.m.
2844 N. Damen Ave., Nov. 8, 3 a.m.
2856 N. Damen Ave., Nov. 8, 3 a.m.
2858 N. Damen Ave., Nov. 8, 3 a.m.
2848 N. Seeley Ave., Nov. 8, 9:46 p.m.
2940 N. Seeley Ave., Nov. 8, 9:46 p.m.
2832-2910 N. Damen Ave., Nov. 8, 9:50 p.m.
2903 N. Clybourn Ave., Nov. 8, 9:55 p.m.
2021 W. Wellington Ave., Nov. 9, 10 p.m.
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