tmariar Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 KHOU reported yesterday that there have been four fires in the last 10 days on the same property at 10th and Ashland. The city tore down the duplex there after the first three fires, but yesterday the scrap heap left behind was apparently found on fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Firebug with a grudge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 It's got to be a pretty deep-seated grudge to set the debris on fire....My theory: volcano. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 It's got to be a pretty deep-seated grudge to set the debris on fire....My theory: volcano.It's not called Ashland St for nothing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Another fire at the same location earlier today - the 5th fire !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share Posted August 29, 2009 Just saw that. Channel 13 piece here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica N Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Just saw that. Channel 13 piece here.What street is the property on? I drove on 10th street last night and was at the intersection at Ashland and didn't see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Just saw that. Channel 13 piece here.Last night (actually early this morning) the house next door to the pile of rubble was set on fire !http://www.click2houston.com/news/20645442/detail.html Edited August 31, 2009 by u080570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 a neighbor supposedly snapped a pic of the perp according to story on 13 this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Wow - bad news/good news. Thanks for the updates. This is getting pretty ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Would have just added this above, but I guess the edit option now disappears after some relatively short period of time?Anyhow, here's a link to a channel 39 story that mentions the photo that Musicman mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 New channel 13 piece on "serial arsonist" in the Heights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The arsonist needs to pay for his crimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 The arsonist needs to pay for his crimes.it was up to 7 fires last i heard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 That's where I thought it was, too - but then saw something today saying there was a fire yesterday, bringing the total to 8 since August 11. Hope for the sake of those living in the area targeted that they find whoever it is soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 i wonder if it's some sort of hate crime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porchman Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 i wonder if it's some sort of hate crime?I'm not so sure. He set the pile of wood from the first house on fire, at least once. I think we may be dealing with a disturbed person. That does not lend comfort, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) Another fire this morning. Just about an hour ago. I'm wondering if that's why I hear a helicopter.I would edit the topic name - I think this is the 9th fire - but I don't see that option. Edited September 14, 2009 by tmariar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porchman Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Another fire this morning. Just about an hour ago. I'm wondering if that's why I hear a helicopter.Yeah the choppers alerted me, too. They are deeming this suspicious. Location is a major factor, of course. It is also an unoccupied structure with no electric service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Another fire this morning. Just about an hour ago. I'm wondering if that's why I hear a helicopter.I would edit the topic name - I think this is the 9th fire - but I don't see that option.Here's a link to Click2Houston's report: http://www.click2houston.com/news/20901540/detail.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilyheights Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Here's a link to Click2Houston's report: http://www.click2houston.com/news/20901540/detail.htmlThe video is up on the Chronicle now. This is really more Tulane than Ashland, I think.I too was awoken by the helicopters this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hartmann Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Was walking the dog this morning and heard the fire engines and shortly thereafter the helicopters. The structure is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the block between Tulane and Ashland and is on an alley.The fires are uncomfortably close to us (Rutland north of 11th) and we've been making sure to keep a look out when we go on our runs in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) How can an arsonist set almost 10 fires in a month all within a few blocks of each other and not be caught yet? Even if you don't have an official neighborhood watch program... how are neighbors not talking with each other, patrolling, taking turns spending the night in their cars with binoculars and walkietalkies?Same goes with the cops. You know this guy is going to hit the same area a few times a week.. How has it gone this far ?? Edited September 14, 2009 by Highway6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinDaugherty Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 i wonder if it's some sort of hate crime?I sure hope not, because then stuff would be, like, burned in hate, which as we all know is FAR worse than being burned without hate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksmu Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I sure hope not, because then stuff would be, like, burned in hate, which as we all know is FAR worse than being burned without hate.I didnt think it was unoccupied...it was the structure with the skinny guy who sells and rebuilds old lawnmowers....As far as hate...naa...I think this is a developer, or someone trying to buy up lots in the area...its isolated to the more run down homes and outhouses...nothing worth much has been damaged yet. I think it could be someone looking to burn that which they cant buy...some of the older more run down homes may not have insurance, thus cant rebuild, and badabing...lot for sale. Wait to see who buys, you may just find your guy.Also worth noting is its location within a block of the outpatient mental facility on Ashland/Waverly....not saying its a mental patient doing the burning, but Im not not saying that either.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heights_yankee Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I didnt think it was unoccupied...it was the structure with the skinny guy who sells and rebuilds old lawnmowers....As far as hate...naa...I think this is a developer, or someone trying to buy up lots in the area...its isolated to the more run down homes and outhouses...nothing worth much has been damaged yet. I think it could be someone looking to burn that which they cant buy...some of the older more run down homes may not have insurance, thus cant rebuild, and badabing...lot for sale. Wait to see who buys, you may just find your guy.Also worth noting is its location within a block of the outpatient mental facility on Ashland/Waverly....not saying its a mental patient doing the burning, but Im not not saying that either....you know, when i saw the house that was burned this morning "unscrupulous developer" was the 1st thing that popped in to my mind. i quickly dismissed it but i am so glad to see that i am not the only one who had that come to mind. after all why would a developer have burned the shed next door to the 1st house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 you know, when i saw the house that was burned this morning "unscrupulous developer" was the 1st thing that popped in to my mind. i quickly dismissed it but i am so glad to see that i am not the only one who had that come to mind. after all why would a developer have burned the shed next door to the 1st house?Persistence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I didnt think it was unoccupied...it was the structure with the skinny guy who sells and rebuilds old lawnmowers....As far as hate...naa...I think this is a developer, or someone trying to buy up lots in the area...its isolated to the more run down homes and outhouses...nothing worth much has been damaged yet. I think it could be someone looking to burn that which they cant buy...some of the older more run down homes may not have insurance, thus cant rebuild, and badabing...lot for sale. Wait to see who buys, you may just find your guy.Also worth noting is its location within a block of the outpatient mental facility on Ashland/Waverly....not saying its a mental patient doing the burning, but Im not not saying that either....It's tempting to think so, but if it is a developer then he must be either really desperate or just insane. Burning down properties in hope you can sweep them up and make a profit isn't a sustainable business practice. There's way too much risk vs reward. But, stranger things have happened. I'd put my money on either a pyromaniac or someone with a personal grudge. If someone knows the addresses, try looking them up at HCAD and see if there is any common ownership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seoid Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 you know, when i saw the house that was burned this morning "unscrupulous developer" was the 1st thing that popped in to my mind. i quickly dismissed it but i am so glad to see that i am not the only one who had that come to mind. after all why would a developer have burned the shed next door to the 1st house?It is weird but yes, this came to my mind as well.A few years ago Austin there were very similar occurrences happening in our neighborhood which was largely being bought up, torn down, and rebuilt. One building was set on fire 4 times in 2 days. If I recall right, the rubble was set on fire the last time the fire department came out. Eerily similar, though I think the lot was already purchased by a developer and the tenants were evicted. There were several theories but one was that the developer didn't want to mess with tearing it down amidst the rest of the intact and tightly packed neighborhood. Far-fetched but still plausible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat_zor Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 If someone knows the addresses, try looking them up at HCAD and see if there is any common ownership.Has someone on here kept track of the date, time and address of each fire? Is there any consistency or pattern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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