Arson Caused At Least Three Somerville Fires

Three of the nine fires that have struck Somerville since June 27 were the result of arson, according to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who held a press conference about the fires Monday afternoon.

What's more, investigators are asking the public's help in solving the crimes, offering up to $15,000 for information that leads to arrests and convictions.


See a list of this summer's Somerville fires here.

Speaking with officials from the state fire marshal's office, the Somerville Fire Department and the Somerville Police Department, Curtatone said the investigation into the arson is ongoing.

Officials would not say which of the three fires were caused by arson. Doing so, they said, could jeopardize the investigation.

Three of this summer's nine fires have been deemed accidental, and three more remain under investigation—they, too, could eventually be connected to arson.

Curtatone said the state fire marshal's office is offering $5,000 for information about the fires, and he said the city is offering up to $10,000.

"We will spare no resource or expense" in solving the arsons, Curtatone said.

He said, "this is a very serious situation," and he asked the public to remain calm but vigilant.

Three arsons, three accidental fires, three under investigation

Although officials would not say which of the three fires are considered arson, they said the three accidental fires were at 151 College Ave. (on July 18), 19 and 17 Banks St. (on Aug. 13) and 18 Belmont St. (on Aug. 18).

Of the remaining six fires, three took place within a few blocks of each other: 68 Rear Dane St. (on July 12), 25 Lewis St. (on July 12), and 15-29 Calvin St. and 22-24 Beacon Place (on July 25).

Several of the fires were significant, violent blazes that displaced multiple people:

• 106 Walnut St., on June 27, displaced between 24 and 27 people
• 25 Lewis St., on July 12, displaced about 9 people
• 27 Lake St., on July 19, displaced 13 people
• 15-29 Calvin St. and 22-24 Beacon Place, on July 15, displaced 45 people

Meanwhile, four of the fires—106 Walnut St., 25 Lewis St., 27 Lake St. and the Calvin Street blaze—started between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the morning.

What's more, four of the fires—68 Rear Dane St., 25 Lewis St., 27 Lake St. and the Calvin Street incident—happened in roughly the same neighborhood outside Union Square.

Seeking the public's help

Deputy Chief Paul Upton of the Somerville Police Department said the FBI, ATF and Cambridge Police Department have also been working on the investigation, along with the state's fire marshal's office, Somerville police and the Somerville Fire Department.

"We need to rely on the public to give us any information they have," Upton said.

Any bit of information, no matter how small, could help the investigation, Upton said. He also said information about fires that occurred outside Somerville might also be useful.

Anyone with information can call the fire marshal's office at (800) 682-9229 or Somerville police at (617) 625-1600.

People can leave an anonymous tip by texting to the number "TIP411" (847411). Put "617spd" at the beginning of your text message. 

Remain vigilant, say officials

While Curtatone asked residents to remain calm but vigilant, Somerville Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher and Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan asked residents to make sure they've taken precautions to protect themselves against fire.

Here are guidelines from the city of Somerville about fire safety:

Protect yourself, your family, and your home: