String of Duluth / Superior Arson Fires Drive Speculation of a Serial Arsonist in the Twin Ports

Three fires in West Duluth this morning have Twin Ports authorities beginning to suspect a serial arsonist is hitting targets in Duluth and Superior. This morning's blazes add to a list of arson fires in the Twin Ports that has grown to nine since March.

This morning's fires included a call that came in around 2:00 am, with responders arriving on the scene to discover an RV fully engulfed in flames at 115 South 65th Avenue West. As firefighters finished putting out the first fire around 3:00 am, a second fire involving a pickup truck was reported nearby at 65th Avenue West and Polk Street.

Just minutes after a team responded to the pickup fire, Duluth Police responded to a structure fire alarm near 19 North 66th Avenue West. This garage fire wreaked the most damage of the three blazes, destroying a garage and two vehicles parked near the structure. Along with the property damage, power lines in the area of the garage were burned, knocking out power for residents in the area.

Early estimates from city investigators place a $31,000 price tag on the damage done by this morning’s fires.

Today's three fires in Duluth, along with six more in Superior since March, have authorities looking for common threads to see if these blazes are the result of a serial arsonist. All of the fires have been suspicious in nature, and growing evidence suggests there may be a link between the nine different fires over the past three months.

Officials from both cities encourage residents to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and welcome any tips in the investigation of these fires. The City of Superior is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the identification and/or arrest of anyone involved in the Superior fires.