By Will Ashenmacher
The St. Paul Pioneer Press
MINNEAPOLIS — More than 20 Minneapolis police squads combed the Longfellow neighborhood Friday night after 17 fires were intentionally set in a 13-block area. Two garages and three vehicles were burned in what police are calling a string of arsons.
The first fire was reported at 8:30 p.m. and the last about 12:30 a.m. Most were set to piles or bags of leaves, but in addition to the garages and vehicles, fires were also set in a Dumpster and on a retaining wall.
Minneapolis police Sgt. William Palmer said a damage estimate would be available when officers finish their investigation. He said no motive for the spree had been determined.
Officers questioned several people in the area and arrested one man on an unrelated misdemeanor warrant, but so far no one has been arrested in connection with the fires.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Minneapolis Arson Squad at 612-673-2549.
Copyright 2011 St. Paul Pioneer Press
All Rights Reserved