3 fires being investigated as arson in Fitchburg, officials say

Fires in three Fitchburg homes that occurred within days of each other in the past week are now being investigated as arson, authorities said. 

“We’ve reached the point where we can confidently say that they were intentionally set,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a press release. “We have not reached a determination as to whether the fires on Blossom and Day streets are related, but we always consider a link when suspicious fires are reported in close proximity.”

Two fires were ignited on Feb. 14 and 15 at a large apartment building in Fitchburg that has entrances on Blossom Street and Day Street, Fitchburg Fire Chief Dante Suarez, Fitchburg Police Chief Steven Giannini, and Davine said in a joint release.

Fitchburg firefighters were able to extinguish both before the flames spread significantly, the officials wrote.

A third, larger fire happened in a multi-family home about half a mile away from the apartment fires Wednesday, officials said. The Feb. 18 fire, on Fitchburg’s Myrtle Avenue, left one person with non-life-threatening injuries and displaced seven people, authorities said.

Officials do not believe the Myrtle Avenue fire is connected to the apartment fires, they said in the release.

Anyone with information can contact the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229, officials wrote. Calls are confidential and callers have the option to remain anonymous.

The Arson Watch Reward Program is run by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and gives rewards up to $5,000 to those who supply information that prevents, detects, or solves arson crimes. 

“If you see something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and report it.  If you have any information about these incidents, no matter how minor it may seem, please come forward.  Even the smallest detail could make a difference,” Giannini said.