Toy Rockets Or Flares? Southington PD Probes Mystery Fires: Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — While Elon Musk's SpaceX can probably be ruled out as the cause of two mysterious fires on Southington lawns Saturday, police do claim "model rockets" are to blame.

But those commenting on the Southington Police Department's page, as well as online photographic evidence, point to another possibility ... military signal flares.

Whether a military tool or toy, the Southington PD wants to get to the bottom of it and they're asking for the public's help.

Police said that on Saturday, March 9, officers and the Southington Fire Department responded to two addresses in Southington for front lawns on fire.

The SFD was able to quickly put out the fires and stop their spread, police said.

Regardless, police said they're seeking information as to the cause of the lawn fires.

"Both fires were determined to have been caused by model rockets which created a potentially dangerous situation," wrote the Southington PD.

"We are asking the community for help identifying the individual(s) who did this."

Police posted online images of two, scorched front yards as well as evidence, they said, of the devices believed responsible.

What those devices are, however, appears to be a matter of debate, with some posters claiming those items are not model rocket parts, but, instead, military flare parts.

Anyone with information can contact SPD Officer Morgan Cassiliano at 860-621-0101 / mcassiliano@southingtonpolice.org.