Investigators Probe 11 Apparent Arson Attacks Overnight

Authorities want to hear from you if you have any information about rash of about 11 fires that appear to have been set early Tuesday in South St. Paul just north of Inver Grove Heights, news outlets are reporting. 


According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press: 

"The fires happened between 1 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. in a four- or five-block area, said assistant fire chief Mark Erickson. ...

"Firefighters responding to a report of a burning garage in the 300 block of Eighth Avenue South found two detached garages on fire."

KSTP.com reported: 

"Due to the simultaneous nature of the fires, firefighters from Inver Grove Heights were called in to assist.

"Investigators determined the fires were intentionally set and believe they may be related to similar fires that occurred in the same general area over the past two years."

The reports say that people with information about the fires should call South St. Paul police at 651-554-3300 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020. Rewards of as much as $2,500 may be available for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the fires (with support provided by the Minnesota Arson Reward Project).

For updates and other information about the community, join us on Patch, Like us on Facebook and follow Inver Grove Patch on Twitter.