Arson suspected in west side neighborhood fires

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Arson is threatening residents in a west side neighborhood. Tuesday morning, Indianapolis firefighters had to put out four fires.

Neighbors couldn't miss the damage left on what remained of a garage on North Harding, not far from Pastor Lee Ladd's home.

"I'm just sorry that something like this happened and they think this might be an arsonist. I looked out my window at three o'clock. I heard all the sirens then I saw flames out my bedroom window," said Ladd.

The first fire was on Lafayette Road just after 11 o'clock Tuesday night. The second was the garage on North Harding reported a bit before 3 a.m. There, firefighters learned of a burning house at 25th and Barnes.

The final call came at 4:46 to 27th and Riverside.

Neighbor Jeremy Littell said the damage at the scene of the last fire doesn't frighten him because he said it seems the targets were abandoned buildings. But, it's still disturbing.

"I'm upset that somebody would be going through our neighborhood and other neighborhoods doing this kind of stuff," he said.

The first fire -- on Lafayette Road -- was at a car dealer's office. IFD said it was the second time in two weeks that firefighters have been called to the office.

The cases don't scare Pastor Ladd.

"The Lord led me into this community. This is a community I love and I'm gonna be here a long time. I'm not going anywhere," said Ladd.

Pastor Ladd also said he hopes the fires motivate neighbors to do more to watch out for each other and be alert for criminal activity in the area. If they need any more incentive, they're likely to see posters in the neighborhood offering a reward for information about the fires.