The Bartlesville Fire Department is asking the public to be on the look-out for whoever is behind multiple structure fires that have occurred in the Jane Phillips Addition since July 2017, BFD Training/Public Information Officer Bill Hollander said recently.
“We’ve had 14 structure fires in a two to three block area in the Jane Phillips Addition since last July,” Hollander said. “All of the structures have been vacant except for two.”
Hollander said the majority of the fires have occurred between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and appear to be the work of one or more arsonists.
“We’re pretty sure it’s the same person or group of individuals setting these fires,” he said. “We’d like to find these individuals before someone — a firefighter, a homeowner or the arsonist — gets hurt or killed.”
Hollander is encouraging anyone who has information about these fires or who sees something suspicious to contact authorities.
“We need everyone to be diligent in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity,” he said. “Look around before you get in your car to leave for work, notice if anything on your block changes or seems out of place, and report anything you see that’s suspicious.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the Police Department Detective Division at 918-338-4015, the Fire Department at 918-338-4091 or, to remain anonymous, CrimeStoppers at 918-336-CLUE (2583).