Arsonist wanted in 4 Hegewisch fires, police say

Manny Ramos/Sun-Times

A person is wanted by police for starting four fires in Hegewisch on the Far South Side in April.

The person has started fires at garbage cans and garages, according to a community alert from Chicago police, which didn’t provide a description of the suspect.

On Monday, a fire in the 13500 block of South Buffalo Avenue left a garage completely burned, a car still parked inside. In the same alley, across from the charred garage, heat from the fire melted siding on three more garages.

On Saturday, a garbage bin fire spread to several garages in the 13300 block of South Buffalo Avenue. The fire engulfed a wooden fence and caused some damage to the garage next to it.

Police said the fires happened:

• about 11:30 p.m. April 3 in the 13300 block of South Avenue N;
• about 11:40 p.m. April 3 in the 13300 block of South Buffalo;
• about 12:30 a.m. April 4 in the 13400 block of South Balimore; and
• about 12:10 a.m. April 5 in the 13500 block of South Buffalo.

Police asked anyone with tips to call the Bureau of Detectives Arson Section at (312) 746-7618.

Aftermath of a garage that caught fire in the 13500 block of South Buffalo Avenue. Photographed on Monday, April 5, 2021.

Contributing: Manny Ramos