Columbus Police Arrest Arson Trio

10 TV: Fire investigators announced Monday that three people, including two juveniles, have been arrested and charged with setting fires on the city's south side. Since last fall, the city's south side has been the scene of dozens of suspicious fires, including four more late Sunday night and early Monday morning. "We've had over 70 or so fires out here, over half of them have been arson," said Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith.

Firefighters were first called to Innis Avenue Sunday at about 7 p.m. when two vacant homes caught fire. Two hours later, crews were called to a burning home on Woodrow Avenue... A fourth blaze was reported at about 3:45 a.m. Monday at a vacant house in the 1500 block South Third Street. No injuries were reported in any of the fires.

Although all four fires were considered suspicious, it was not immediately known if they were connected to a recent string of arsons in the area. William Parsley, 33, was taken into custody Sunday night. Investigators believe Parsley may be behind several arsons, but, so far, he has only been charged in connection with one fire in January…

In addition to Parsley, fire investigators said that the two juveniles were arrested early last week. They both face one count of aggravated arson. Investigators would not elaborate on the relationship between Parsley and the two juveniles. Despite the arrests, the fires continue, and investigators would not rule out additional arrests or charges.