By Marissa Alanis
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — Oak Cliff suffered another string of arson attacks on vehicles early Sunday, with three fires reported in six minutes.
A fourth occurred in South Dallas a few minutes later.
An accelerant such as gasoline was used to start the fires, said Sherrie Lopez, a Dallas Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.
She said officials are investigating whether the attacks are connected to about eight vehicle arsons Feb. 27-28 in Oak Cliff.
Authorities have no suspects in any of the fires.
No one has been injured, but the affected families were still very upset in the fires’ aftermath.
“It could’ve exploded and killed us all,” said 14-year-old Margaret Diaz, whose father’s truck was the first vehicle targeted Sunday.
“They’re putting people’s lives in danger.”
Margaret said her father, Jesus Diaz, worked hard to buy the truck, which he used to transport goods to sell at area flea markets.
Now it’s a charred ruin.
She said she ran outside the family’s home, on Fernwood Avenue in East Oak Cliff, when she realized the vehicle was on fire.
“I saw my dad,” she said, “and he started crying.”
About five minutes later and a few blocks away, on Carson Street, the arsonist or arsonists struck again.
This time the target was a Pontiac Bonneville.
“That’s too close to home,” said Sharon Hallum, who lives across the street. “That could’ve easily been my red truck.”
Next, a Ford Taurus was torched on Glen Avenue.
Then, four minutes later and about four miles away, a car fire was reported on Jeffries Street in South Dallas.
Ms. Lopez said that case may not be related to the others.
“We’re looking into that,” the fire department spokeswoman said.
Anybody with information on the fires should call Dallas Fire-Rescue at 214-670-4312.