Seattle -
Firefighters and police had not one, but two meetings in Greenwood to discuss the latest in the string of arsons in the neighborhood.
Hundreds of people packed the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church to talk about the 14 arsons that have happened since June 2009. Most have targeted small businesses along Greenwood Ave. N near 85th St.
People who live and work in the area crowded the church to find some sort of outlet for their emotions.
"It's terrifying. Everybody feels angry and helpless," says Malka Aust who owns a used furniture store next to Rosewood Guitar which burned on Thursday, November 5, 2009.
Most of the fires have started overnight. In some cases, firefighters barely had one out before another started. Police say the arsonist has used a rolled up newspaper and pieces of cardboard to start the fires.
"The police and fire department have formed an Arson Task Force. We've requested assistance from the ATF and we're going to combine this expertise to stop this wave of arson affecting Greenwood," says Chief AD Vickory with the Seattle Fire Department.
Although investigators say they don't have a solid profile of the arsonist, we are told pyromaniacs do have some common traits. 90% of them are men who are social outcasts and typically come from a violent or dysfunctional family. Some are drug and alcohol users who get an emotional release from starting fires.
Experts say the person might have even been at the church meeting because they like to see the impact their crimes are having on the community.
"We feel like he's watching us and is on top of us and that's what's scary," says Malka Aust.
We're told some business owners have decided to sleep inside their stores to protect their belongings, but the Fire Marshall warned them this could be very dangerous. Instead he told them if they really want to, to stake out their business from the outside.
If you have any information on the Greenwood arsons, call 1-800-55-ARSON. There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Hundreds of people packed the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church to talk about the 14 arsons that have happened since June 2009. Most have targeted small businesses along Greenwood Ave. N near 85th St.
People who live and work in the area crowded the church to find some sort of outlet for their emotions.
"It's terrifying. Everybody feels angry and helpless," says Malka Aust who owns a used furniture store next to Rosewood Guitar which burned on Thursday, November 5, 2009.
Most of the fires have started overnight. In some cases, firefighters barely had one out before another started. Police say the arsonist has used a rolled up newspaper and pieces of cardboard to start the fires.
"The police and fire department have formed an Arson Task Force. We've requested assistance from the ATF and we're going to combine this expertise to stop this wave of arson affecting Greenwood," says Chief AD Vickory with the Seattle Fire Department.
Although investigators say they don't have a solid profile of the arsonist, we are told pyromaniacs do have some common traits. 90% of them are men who are social outcasts and typically come from a violent or dysfunctional family. Some are drug and alcohol users who get an emotional release from starting fires.
Experts say the person might have even been at the church meeting because they like to see the impact their crimes are having on the community.
"We feel like he's watching us and is on top of us and that's what's scary," says Malka Aust.
We're told some business owners have decided to sleep inside their stores to protect their belongings, but the Fire Marshall warned them this could be very dangerous. Instead he told them if they really want to, to stake out their business from the outside.
If you have any information on the Greenwood arsons, call 1-800-55-ARSON. There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
