At least 4 arson fires set overnight in Lincoln Park, Lakeview

Scorched bed springs lie outside a burned garage in the 2600 block of North Burling following an arson fire on June 29, 2020. | CWBChicago

An arsonist set a series of fires in Lincoln Park and Lakeview early Monday, according to Chicago police. No injuries were reported in connection with the fires which broke out in the same area where a rash of arson cases was reported last autumn.

The overnight fires are believed to be the work of the same arsonist, according to a source. The firebug apparently started two of the blazes by igniting discarded mattresses near garage structures. Two other fires were set to trash receptacles.

A discarded box spring lies in the alley (right) near the scene of an arson fire in the 600 block of West Arlington on June 29, 2020. The remnants of a burned mattress lie in a pile of rubble near the garage. | CWBChicago

Fires were reported: today

  • Around 12:40 a.m. on the 2600 block of North Burling. A garage and vehicle were burned after fire was set to a discarded mattress.
  • Around 12:58 a.m., after a dumpster was ignited behind the 2800 block of North Broadway. This fire was set less than 20 feet from where another dumpster was set ablaze on November 2.
  • Around 3:40 a.m. on the 600 block of West Arlington. This fire also involved a mattress being ignited next to a garage.
  • Around 4:50 a.m. when a dumpster was set on fire behind the 2400 block of North Lincoln.

Investigators who arrested a man for allegedly setting a series of fires on the Far North Side around Christmastime said in their reports that the man may be responsible for the arson pattern in Lakeview and Lincoln Park two months earlier.

Approximate locations of the four suspected arson fires set on June 29, 2020. | Multiplottr

That man, Christopher Slattery, is on electronic monitoring, according to Cook County Sheriff’s Office records. But some cops who are familiar with the case believe another person is responsible for setting the fires in Lakeview and Lincoln Park last year.

Police last autumn issued a community alert about the unsolved arson cases in which they advised residents to secure city garbage cans and to keep large or bulky items such as boxes and furniture indoors until pick-up day.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com