Two fires reported as suspected arsons struck the same stretch of Williams Avenue in Philadelphia’s Cedarbrook neighborhood four days apart, putting residents on edge. The first was reported at a rear door on the 8200 block on September 21; the second involved a parking bollard on September 25. No arrest had been made in either case, according to 6abc Philadelphia. The reports describe different suspect appearances, and neighbors say they fear another fire.
A Daycare-Adjacent Fire and a Later Bollard Blaze
The first fire was reported at about 7 p.m. on September 21, at a rear door on the 8200 block of Williams Avenue, according to 6abc. Police described the suspect as a woman in her 30s, with a medium build, wearing a black baseball cap, a white face covering, a red shirt and blue pants. Investigators said surveillance video showed her appearing to ignite a can before leaving.
The fire was behind a home that operates as a daycare, the report said. A passerby tried to alert those inside and used a child’s toy filled with rainwater to help put out the flames before police, firefighters and the fire marshal arrived.
Fire Protections for Certified Child-Care Homes
The reported fire was behind a home operating as a daycare; the available report does not say whether it is a certified family child-care home. For homes that are certified, The Pennsylvania Key’s OCDEL guidance says an operable, properly maintained interconnected smoke-alarm system and a valid Certificate of Occupancy are required.
A Second Fire Four Days Later
At about 10:30 p.m. on September 25, a woman reportedly threw a lit bottle at a parking bollard in a rear driveway in the same area. Neighbors told the station that an air-conditioning unit was also targeted. Police were called the next day, and the report of the fire was not made public until four days after it happened.
A resident described the second suspect as believed to be a woman in her 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium-brown complexion and medium build. She was seen wearing glasses, a black cap, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants, with her hair in a bun. Firefighters put out the flames; police said she was last seen fleeing westbound on Mount Airy Avenue.
Residents Fear Another Fire
Neighbors voiced concern about the risk to nearby homes. Kyle Donaldson told reporters, “if she succeeds in what she's doing, somebody's house is gonna wind up burning down.” Simone Johnson said the possibility of the suspect attacking another house scares her; she was captured on surveillance video walking her dog during the second incident. Dave Wallace said, “One down and then it'll be my turn, so hopefully we be able to get her off the street.”
Neighbors said they did not know the suspect’s identity or why the street appeared to be targeted, and feared more incidents could follow if whoever was responsible was not caught. No injuries were reported in either fire, and police said both investigations remain ongoing, according to 6abc Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s Arson Picture
The Cedarbrook fires come amid elevated arson figures citywide. Philadelphia recorded 703 reported arsons in 2023, its highest total in nearly 20 years, or 4.5 per 10,000 residents, according to The Inquirer. By late March 2024, the city had logged 159 arsons, 20% more than during the same period a year earlier. The report said arson levels in Baltimore, Buffalo and Chicago had leveled off or declined while Philadelphia’s continued to rise.
The Inquirer, citing District Attorney’s Office data, reported that 59 of the 68 arson arrests made citywide in 2023 were prosecuted. The city’s four-member arson investigation unit looked into more than 1,800 fires that year, with over a third determined to have been intentionally set. Officials added eight investigators to the Fire Marshal’s Office, including two for arson cases, and a second fire dog. The report identified Kensington and North and Central Philadelphia as the city’s heaviest arson concentrations.
