By Gabriel Rom
Police are now also offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a spate of fires in Forest Hills.
The evening before Thanksgiving a fire tore through a two-story home under construction at 67th Drive near 108th Street in Forest Hills, according to the FDNY, marking the fourth possible arson case over the past month.
Police said that in all four instances, the suspect entered the sites and “ignited flammable combustibles before fleeing on foot.”
No injuries were reported in any of those incidents, although two of the fires spread to nearby homes.
On Friday, NYPD and fire officials released surveillance video of a suspect wanted in connection with the string of blazes.
In the video, an individual in a hoodie was seen walking around the two-story home minutes before the fire began, according to police officials.
The other fires took place Nov. 8 on 112th Street, Nov. 15 on 69th Road, and Nov. 17 on 66th Avenue, according to police.
All the recent suspicious fires broke out at vacant buildings that were being renovated or under construction.
There were unconfirmed reports that the suspected arsonist left a note taunting police, but the NYPD declined to comment.
The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/QR9dt3LoHH0
The FDNY did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
