PORT ANGELES — Police are warning local businesses to keep their trash bins away from buildings in light of several suspicious fires that have been set in garbage cans recently.
The small fires, which have been extinguished fairly quickly by the Fire Department, may be linked to two suspected arsons on Oct. 14, including one that damaged the rear of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and a nearby garage on the alley between Eighth and Ninth streets.
The other burned a large trash container outside Serenity House Thrift Store on East First Street, destroying the container and damaging a handrail.
About six other fires in trash bins have been reported in recent months, Port Angeles Police Cpl. Jack Lowell said Wednesday.
Though the fires are small, it’s their frequency that worries police.
“That’s what concerns us the most, is that series of garbage can fires throughout the city,” Lowell said.
“Obviously those catch on fire, and if buildings are too close, buildings catch on fire, and neighboring buildings catch on fire, and it just grows.”