Las Cruces firefighters were busy with 15 separate trash receptacle fires Wednesday evening. Sept. 7, into Thursday morning.
The 15 fires were reported between 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 and about 5 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. The trash receptacles were along west Picacho Avenue, Alameda Boulevard and east Lohman Avenue. No injuries were reported. One building received smoke damage as a result of one of the fires.
All fires were quickly extinguished by Las Cruces firefighters.
Las Cruces police detained a 42-year-old man who is believed to be responsible for setting some of the fires. He was arrested on a separate charge and is currently jailed at the Doña Ana County Detention Center. Fire personnel are still investigating the fires and will pursue arson charges against the person or persons believed to be responsible.
Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity, or has knowledge of who set the fires, is asked to call Las Cruces fire investigators at 575/526-0795.