SOMERVILLE — Somerville’s police and fire chiefs, along with the State Fire Marshal’s office, are asking for the public’s help as they investigate multiple suspicious fires discovered at a shuttered school building earlier this week.
Firefighters responded to the former Winter Hill Community School at 115 Sycamore Street around 8:47 p.m. on Monday, May 12, according to a joint statement from Somerville’s Fire Chief Charles Breen Jr., Somerville’s Police Chief Shumeane Benford, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.
Crews entered the building, located several separate fires, and fully extinguished them. They also observed signs of vandalism throughout the property.
“This fire had the potential to grow and spread, increasing the danger and risk to responding firefighters,” said Chief Breen.
Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229. The program, coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that helps solve, detect, or prevent arson.
“The most important thing right now is to prevent any additional fires that could leave someone injured or worse,” said Chief Benford.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Somerville Police Criminal Investigation Division, the Somerville Fire Department, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
