Nearly 3 Months Later, Search For Arsonist Continues
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - There is a renewed effort to find the arsonists responsible for several fires in Lakewood that ignited last fall.
Nearly three months after those fires there is still evidence of the intense heat that left black ash covering asphalt and melted siding on the side of a home.
Fire investigators are hoping someone in the community will be able to help them stir up new leads.
Amy Dennison's vehicle was destroyed along with more than a dozen others. She worries knowing that the person responsible is still out there.
"You hear noises that before were just normal noises and now you wake up and say, 'What was that?' " said Dennison.
Early on investigators knew that fire and three others that started around the same time in the same area of Lakewood were all set on purpose.
On Oct. 22, 2013, 15 cars, one motorcycle and part of one building were destroyed in the fires. The total damage is estimated at $250,000.
All four fires started as car fires with some sort of accelerant like gasoline.
West Metro Fire Marshal Bruce Kral said they've gone through all of the evidence and followed up on all of the tips but turned up nothing. Now they're asking for help.
"There's been enough time for who ever was involved to start talking and maybe start putting things on social media. If they're school age maybe there has been some discussion at school," said Kral.
While they continue to search for new information investigators are also warning the community to be cautious and keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
"We just need people to stay vigilant, particularly in the morning when these fires occurred," said Kral.
Dennison said she would like nothing more than to see the case closed but she knows it will take time. She is thankful that investigators haven't moved on.
"It makes me feel better that it isn't forgotten," said Dennison.
Investigators are also looking into whether two other fires in the same area, one in August 2013 and another in November 2013 could be connected.
