Up to $5K Reward Offered in Swampscott Arsons

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — An arsonist hit a vehicle, newspaper box, and recycling bins in Swampscott over the last few weeks and police are asking the public's help finding the suspect.

The fires have been set around the Swampscott Housing Authority on Doherty Circle, police said.
The most recent fire happened Friday when someone lit a newspaper distribution box on fire at 205 Burrill Street. On Oct. 1, someone lit a vehicle on fire at 59 Doherty Cir. And over the last few weeks, there have been "a number of fires" set to plastic recycling bins in the Doherty Circle neighborhood.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Massachusetts Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229. A reward of up to $5,000 is available.

"These may seem like small fires, but all fires start small and every fire (has) the potential to cause serious harm," said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey in a statement.

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