Tipsters can call arson watch reward hotline

Several fires in a former school building are being investigated as suspicious and officials are asking for the public’s help, said Somerville Fire Chief Charles J. Breen Jr, Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Somerville Fire Department responded to 115 Sycamore Street, the former site of the Winter Hill Community School, at 8:47 pm on May 12. Firefighters made entry, searched the building, and fully extinguished a number of unconnected fires. They also observed other signs of vandalism on the premises.

“This fire had the potential to grow and spread, increasing the danger and risk to responding firefighters,” said Chief Breen.

Chief Benford, Chief Breen, and State Fire Marshal Davine urged anyone with information on the fires to contact the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229. The Arson Watch Reward Program is coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that solves, detects, or prevents arson crimes.

“The most important thing right now is to prevent any additional fires that could leave someone injured or worse,” said Chief Benford.

The fires remain under investigation by the Somerville Police Criminal Investigation Division, Somerville Fire Department, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Jake Wark
Public Information Officer
Department of Fire Services