Upper Darby cops hunting for arsonist
An arsonist has haunted -- but not physically harmed -- two Upper Darby families twice in the last week, police said.
An arsonist has haunted -- but not physically harmed -- two Upper Darby families twice in the last week.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said the firebug poured gasoline and lit three matches on the first floor porch of an apartment building on State Road near Parkview Road about 2 a.m. today.
A tenant extinguished the small flames with a bucket of water. Chitwood said the arsonist pulled the same stunt on the same porch about 3 a.m. on Feb. 14.
No one was injured in either incident. Chitwood said that four adults and five children live inside the building. The two families aren't from the area, and have no history of problems in Upper Darby, he said.
"This guy [the arsonist] is a total idiot," Chitwood said. "God forbid, you could have nine people die there. Hopefully we'll catch him before he tries something like this again."
Tipsters can contact detectives at 610-734-7677.