Detectives may have caught a break in investigating a series of four fires deliberately set at residential construction sites within blocks of each other in Forest Hills this month.
Police released on Friday afternoon video footage of the alleged arsonist shortly after he sparked a two-alarm blaze at a 67th Drive location near 110th Street at about 11:12 p.m. Wednesday night. No serious injuries were reported.
According to the NYPD, the perpetrator is believed to have also ignited fires at a 112th Street location near 68th Drive at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 8; a site on 69th Road near the Grand Central Parkway service road at 10:10 p.m. on Nov. 15; and a property on 66th Avenue near 110th Street at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17.
In each instance, police said, the perpetrator entered the vacant locations, ignited combustible chemicals and fled the scene.
The NYPD and fire marshals are conducting investigations.
Anyone with information regarding the fires or the arsonist’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Persons who see a fire in progress or someone trespassing onto property should call 911 immediately.
