Allston act of arson results in four cars in flames

Four cars were set on fire in Allston on Saturday in what Boston Fire Department officials call an “ongoing problem” for the area.

Two of the vehicles, which were parked in a lot in the rear of 24 Pratt St., were set on fire, followed by another car on Pratt Street. While BFD officials were putting out these fires, a third fire broke out at another vehicle on Ashford Street.

All vehicles that caught on fire that day had Massachusetts license plates and were not parked on the street. No injuries were reported, but all vehicles involved suffered significant damage.

There have been a total of eight vehicles set on fire as a result of arson in the last two months, according to BFD officials.

Firefighters arrived at 7:50 a.m. to extinguish the flames and remained on the scene to investigate. While fire investigators were talking to local residents and searching for evidence of arson, someone told them that there was more smoke coming out of 33 Pratt St. at about 9 a.m., when firefighters came and put out the second fire.

BFD spokesman Steve MacDonald said that students and residents in the Allston area must use extra caution when it comes to parking vehicles.

“The big thing is just be aware,” MacDonald said during a phone interview. “It’s a student area, so not everyone knows who their neighbors are.”

He also advised residents to keep an outdoor light on at night and be aware of random people cutting through yards.

“如果你看到可疑的东西,去报告,“MacDonald said.

The cause and motive of the car fires are still under investigation, he said.

Some Boston University students who live in the area said that the blast sounded like a gun or explosion.

“I don’t feel safe at all,” said College of Communication junior Jess Maroney, who lives on Pratt Street. “I think it would be scarier if there was intent because then they might do it again.”

Other neighborhood residents said that they think this was just a random act of destruction.

“It was just a bunch of random cars,” said David Scott, a College of Arts and Sciences junior who also lives on Pratt Street. “So it seems like this person just ran through the neighborhood destroying cars.”