A rash of fires breaking out around the city of Hartford have raised concerns among neighbors and officials alike.
Firefighters are dealing with about one large fire a day, which is above average for the city, and some of those have been deliberate.
Among the fires labeled as suspicious is the one that filled a boarded-up building on Cleveland Avenue with flames and smoke on Thursday.
The day before, crews responded to a case of arson at an apartment complex on Sigourney Street. A mother, infant, blind man, and his service dog had to be rescued.
Investigators don't believe the two fires are related, but they're worried about the frequency of the flames.
The two cases come less than two weeks after fire forced dozens from their apartments on Main Street. At the beginning of April, another Main Street building was destroyed after authorities say a squatter burned a paper bag and had to be rescued.
"It's scary," said Howard Simms, who lives near the Cleveland Avenue fire. "Makes you think. Just about all you can do about it right now until they find out who the hell it is setting them on fire."
Due to the rash of fires and growing concerns, officials announced they're making themselves available to residents during several scheduled community meetings. The first of at least four meeting is slated for Saturday.
"We thought it would be a great opportunity to make ourselves available to answer any questions, hear their comments, their concerns," said Hartford Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Helene Lynch.
Fire officials will also offer up tips for fire prevention and are asking neighbors to keep an eye out to help stop arsonists.
"We need their help that if they see anything suspicious or see anything that doesn't seem quite right they should call us," said Lynch.
The first community meeting will take place at the Willie Ware Community Center on Windsor Street at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The meeting is one of four that will take place this month.
Residents who attend can also sign up for the city's free smoke alarm program.
