SoMa vehicle blazes likely isolated arson
By: Will Reisman
Examiner Staff Writer
November 20, 2009
Two vehicles were burned early Thursday morning in SoMa, but officials said the fires were not related to three car arsons reported earlier this week in the Sunset district.
One vehicle, the make and model of which has not been identified, was intentionally set ablaze at Sixth and Jessie streets just after 5 a.m., according to Lt. Mindy Talmadge, spokeswoman for the Fire Department. The second vehicle, a van, was burned due to its exposure to the flames on the other auto, Talmadge said.
Two potential witnesses told investigators they knew who was responsible for the fire, although the motive and method of the crime has yet to be revealed, Talmadge said.
No arrests have been made.
The vehicle fires Thursday morning followed reports of three car arsons in the Sunset earlier this week. Talmadge said those were not related to the SoMa incident.
The recent succession of fires raised concerns about the possibility of another arson spree breaking out in The City, similar to a July crime wave that resulted in 13 vehicle fires.
However, Talmadge said that while the three charred cars in the Sunset bear similarities to each other, they do not appear to be connected to July’s arson spree.
wreisman@sfexaminer.com
