FARMINGTON, Utah – Police and fire departments in Davis County are pooling their resources in an effort to catch what they believe is a serial arsonist.
Within the past six months, 12 fires have erupted with a two-mile radius. Farmington Fire Chief Guido Smith things they are all connected.
"There are various factors that we believe are tying them together," Smith said, though he wouldn't elaborate on what those factors were.
The chief thinks the arsonist started lighting trash cans on fire in late March to early April then progressed to lighting dumpsters on fire. The fear now is he or she has moved on to bigger things after hillside was torched last Friday.
"It’s not uncommon for arsonists to progressively get worse in their activities,” Smith said.
Residents in the area are concerned about the fires.
"Then what's his next move, throw gas on a house?" said one neighbor who's backyard was partially engulfed in flames last Friday.
Agencies have created a task force to hopefully stop whoever is responsible for starting the fires.
Along with Farmington fire, Centerville police, South Davis Metro fire, Davis County Fire Warden, the Davis County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service will investigate the fires.
“By putting this agency together we are just able to enhance the speed of information sharing and the accuracy of information sharing,” Smith added.
