Possible Serial Arsonist Targets Lake View Alleys

Nine garages, cars torched since the summer

Chicago police have issued a warning about a possible serial arsonist targeting alleys in the Lake View neighborhood.

The first car fire was reported June 10 in the 3500 block of Wilton. Since then, eight more fires have been reported, included two this month.

"I looked out the back porch window and my friend's garage was totally engulfed in flames," said Holly Hardgrove, who witnessed one of the most recent fires.

The garage turned artist studio was burned to the ground.

"He had a lot of equipment in there, he had a chop saw, he had lots of tools, his bike was in there," Hardgrove said. "It's eerie and gross and it's scary."

Nancy Watson says she and her husband plan to install surveillance cameras after a fire was lit in her back alley.

"That fire was so hot that it went across and burned another part of our garage," Watson said.

Police encourage residents to report suspicious activity near any alleys and to keep the areas around your home well-lit.

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