By Sharahn D. Boykin
The Dayton Daily News
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A Springfield man was taken into police custody Sunday morning after a vacant home, a business and a porch were set on fire the same day.
Christopher Allen Adams, 33, has been booked and is being held at the Clark County Jail in connection with the fires.
“He may have been involved in at least six fires that we have investigated so far,” said Brian Miller, the Springfield Assistant Fire Chief. Investigators believe Adams is connected to six arsons that have occurred since April 19, including fires on Main and Pleasant streets.
“There could be a charge for each fire,” Miller said. “I would anticipate more charges.”
Sunday marked Adams’ most recent arson-related arrest. Court records show he was convicted on one count of aggravated arson in 2009.
He was released from prison in March, according to officials.
On Sunday, Adams allegedly admitted to setting fires on West Main, South Plum and West Clark streets — all three happening early Sunday morning — and three previous fires, according to Miller.
Firefighters were dispatched to the 800 block of West Main Street at 2:49 a.m. for the first fire. Seventeen minutes later, firefighters were dispatched to the 400 block of South Plum Street for a reported second fire.
They were dispatched a third time for a fire reported at 4:58 a.m. on West Clark Street.
Adams was taken into custody after he was identified by an eyewitness.
“We had a witness, who saw Mr. Adams, who was walking his dog,” Miller said.
The fires caused almost $30,000 in damage to the buildings and porch. No injuries were reported.
Miller estimates there have been 25 to 30 arsons in the city in 2012.
Copyright 2012 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.