Fires Started at Park Behind Dakine Circle

On Thursday, Aug 21st a neighbor on Dakine smelled burning wood and heard 2 explosions coming from the direction of Springfield Forest Park behind Dakine Circle and called the police.

The fire department put out two fires started with dead wood, lighters and three cans of Tag aerosol which was used as an accelerant. Lt. Rocco Alvaro of the fire department said it is very easy for such activity to go undetected because the area behind Dakine Circle and in the park is very dark at night.

The fire department had to return again on Friday evening to put out another fire, it is believe the fire was a result of remnants of Thursday’s fire that was still smoldering.

On Saturday afternoon neighbors on Dakine Circle noticed the same burning smell behind their home and went beyond the playground to investigate. They came upon another fire smoking and called the fire department. The fire department believes this was a new fire and they discovered a burned out area, including charred trees with more accelerants and burned playing cards.

The fire investigators videotaped the scene and were going back to local stores to review video surveillance tapes. The fire department investigators were very concerned because they said even though the perpetrators may think they have smothered the fire, with the dry conditions; it is reigniting the dead leaves and other combustibles underneath it.

Anyone with any additional information about the fires should contact Lt. Rocco Alvaro directly at 703-246-4801.