One in custody following another arson last night in Flint, Michigan. Mutual aid pulling out as fires continue.
Watch coverage of the fire on Avenue A and the arrest from WJRT-TV
Watch story on mutual aid issues in the wake of Flint’s cutbacks
There was another fire in Flint, Michigan. It happened yesterday evening at Avenue A and East Taylor Street. In the last 10 days there have been close to 50 fires in the city.
The string of fires began March 24, the day before the latest round of fire and police layoffs occurred. Two fire stations have been closed because of the staffing cuts.
As we previously mentioned, mutual aid companies, feeling the pressure of the increased responses at a time when Flint is providing less, are reconsidering their agreements with the city. Click here and here to read those stories.
After a fire broke out Friday evening, police announced there is a suspect in custody, but they don’t believe that man is responsible for the arson spree.
More details in these excerpts from an article by Matt Franklin, WJRT-TV:
Flint police are confirming they have one man in custody, and they are calling him an arson suspect. He was arrested shortly after the flames broke out.
The flames were first spotted around 7 p.m. at an abandoned home near the intersection of Avenue A and East Taylor Street.
Another view of last night’s fire.
Flint Public Safety Director Alvern Lock says at this point the man is suspected in Friday night’s fires.
They do not believe he is responsible for the recent string of arsons.
The flames were so intense that thick black smoke could be seen for miles across the city.
“This fire is completely unrelated to the other fires that have happened,” Lock said.
Investigators say the fire was intentionally set. They said it likely started in a vacant house before spreading to another vacant home, and then to Lott’s house.
Firefighters hosed down a nearby home as the flames started to spread.
Mutual aid was called in to assist Flint fire, which used every available firefighter. Police arrested a suspect not to far from the scene.
Fire on Wellington Avenue early Thursday morning.
