TROY, NY – Investigators believe a woman is possibly being targeted in a string of suspicious fires in Troy.
Four buildings on Sixth Avenue had to be demolished Monday after a suspicious fire destroyed them early Sunday. Police say the fire at 3253 Sixth Avenue was set on fire three times in the past few weeks. The most recent blazed displaced eight families totaling 24 people.
The fire on Sunday is not the first suspicious fire in Troy. Recently there have been several fires considered to possibly be arson, with four separate fires to be set on the 3000-block of Sixth Avenue alone.
During the demolition of the Sixth Avenue homes on Monady a fight broke
out less than one block away related to the suspicious fires, Troy
Police Captain John Cooney says.
An investigator says there has been one common thread in the arsons: a woman who has lived in at least two of the buildings set on fire. A victim of the Sixth Avenue fire also tells NEWS10 he believes someone is being targeted. "No one knows who was setting the fires, we just know who they're trying to get," he said.
Back on July 13th, a home on 118th Street was set on fire where the woman lived. Investigators say the same woman then moved to 3253 Sixth Street on July 22nd, the same building that was set on fire Sunday.
The woman is not being considered a suspect in these arsons.
Troy Police say they have several leads, but it will probably be a while until there is an arrest.
Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia says police will be stepping up their patrols in the City looking for suspicious activity. The City has announced new patrols until 6:00 a.m. in the area of Sixth Avenue.
Anyone with information of the person, or persons, responsible for these fires is asked to contact Troy Police. A $2,000 reward has been set up for information leading to an arrest.
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