Reward offered, information sought to put an end to downtown arsonist (update: reward doubled)

Image by Flickr user Cayusa

(Updates at the bottom.)

After two suspicious fires within the past month and at least 57 fires since 2002, investigators are doing everything they can to attain further information about the arsonist(s) who have been setting fire to homes around downtown's Cannonborough neighborhood.

On July 28th, the city announced that they'd be offering a $25,000 reward for any information on who might have started the fire which caused extensive damage to a home at 54 Cannon Street - the most recent case of arson to date.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward and help put an end to these horrific fires. The hotline is (800) 922-7766.

Update November 30: While the Charleston arson task force's list of suspicious arson-like fires tops 56, a Post and Courier-backed effort has identified more than 80, including a couple notable absences.

Update December 8: Charleston Mayor Joe Riley announced today that the city of Charleston has doubled the reward from $25,000 to $50,000 for anyone who has information that leads to a break in the ongoing case of the Charleston arsonist.

The Post and Courier has the breaking news; read it here.

 

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