A rash of mysterious blazes plaguing the Memorial area may be coming to an end, according to the Houston Fire Department.
HFD captain Ruy Lozano confirms that two suspected arsonists have been arrested in connection to nearly a dozen fires set in dumpsters and apartment complexes throughout December and January.
Investigators were led to the suspects after conducting extensive interviews at the Sheffield Square Apartments.
After a joint investigation lead by HFD and Spring Branch ISD police, 19-year-old Xavier McKnight and a 15-year-old accomplice were taken into custody Tuesday night. KHOU reports that both suspects recently attended Stratford High School, one of Memorial High School's biggest rivals.
Investigators were led to the suspects after conducting extensive interviews at the Sheffield Square Apartments (14814 Perthshire), the residential complex that was hit by multiple fires in January.
McKnight — charged with one count of arson for a January blaze in a stairwell at Sheffield Square — is being held in a Harris County jail on a $30,000 bond. Information on the second suspect has not been released by law enforcement, due to his age.
While no injuries were reported at any of the blazes, HFD officials told CultureMap in early February that stairwell fires pose a dangerous threat, particularly in large residential buildings where open escape routes are essential for mass evacuations.
Investigators say that additional charges are possible — and that there may be another arrest.
Watch the full KHOU report:
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Photo by Julie Soefer