String of fires in Yuma neighborhood

Several trash bins and a car were damage Monday morning in a string of arson fires in Yuma, according to the Yuma Fire Department.

According to Mike Erfert, YFD public information officer, a trash bin in the 600 block alley between 9th and 10th avenues was reported to be on fire shortly after 5 a.m.

When responding firefighters arrived, they found several fires burning in the area and extinguished them.

Erfert said the initial investigation showed that someone had set fires in four plastic city of Yuma residential trash bins. "Evidence was found to indicate the fires were intentionally set."

Fires also had been set in dried vegetation behind properties in two other locations in the alley.

"Doing something like this puts the whole neighborhood at risk," Erfert said. "Anything could have happened."

A fire had also been set in a 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo parked on the street in the 600 block of 9th Avenue.

"Some material was stuck into the hood area and lit on fire," Erfert said.

One trash bin was destroyed and three others damaged as a result of one of the fires. The Monte Carlo sustained damage to the hood and engine compartment.

Police and fire department investigators were called to the scene.

Anyone with information about these fires is asked to contact the Yuma Police Department at 373-4700 or fire investigator Kayla Holiman at 373-4850.