Beware the Backdraft; Residents Turn Up Heat on City to Investigate Suspicious Fires

   

    Detectives and community activists join forces to investigate an arson that took the lives of four people in February.

    The February 24th arson fire at 1033 Pacific Street in Prospect Heights (pictured) took the lives of Sherri Williams, 26, Assita Coulibaly, 36, and Coulibaly’s children, Mohammed, 1, and Miriam, 3.

    Concerned residents, detectives, retired firefighters and committee members said that to stop the fires the city must re-open closed firehouses, the police must walk the streets, the Department of Environmental Protection must inspect hydrants, and community boards and elected officials must provide information and assistance to residents.

    Since January 2005, there have been more than a dozen fires deemed accidental or suspicious in and around Community District 8, including at least a half dozen on Pacific Street.

    Published in Courier-Life Publications. (Sorry - the link for this article is currently unavailable.)