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American Morning

Serial Arson?

Aired September 10, 2003 - 09:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A fire early this morning in Northeast Washington D.C. has investigators there speculating whether a serial arsonist is now back at work. Several fires in that region earlier this month also under investigation.
For the very latest on the case, we are joined from our Washington bureau by Ronald Blackwell. He is the fire chief in Prince Georges County, Maryland, which borders Washington.

Chief Blackwell, nice to see you. Thanks for joining us.

CHIEF RONALD BLACKWELL, PRINCE GEORGES CO. FIRE DEPT.: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

Let's talk a little bit about this fire that happened overnight. Tell me a little more about it. Is it similar in nature to the other ones that you've seen? I understand that a mother and her son were inside, managed to get out safely.

BLACKWELL: Yes, and we're very grateful that they were able to get out. But, yes, this fire is very similar in nature to the other 27 fires on our list of fires that we are actively investigating and pursuing. This fire did occur during that period of time that most of these fires have involved. It's between midnight and 6:00 in the morning, and it did begin on the outside of the structure.

O'BRIEN: Two more fires have officially been linked now, and it's really been awhile, chief, since we've spoken. Does that mean that you just don't have a lot of good leads in this case now?

BLACKWELL: Well, actually we do have leads and we're continuing to go through information. We did get very early on a lot of information that has taken some time to go through. So there are some reasons for us to be encouraged. But at the same time, this is going to be a difficult investigation.

O'BRIEN: Yes, no question about that. Explain to me what your thoughts are on the lull in arson activity.

BLACKWELL: Well, it's difficult to know. And there's been a lot of speculation that perhaps the person or people involved have been on vacation and out of the area. There's been speculation that perhaps the individual had been jailed and was recently released. And we're looking at any number of possibilities, but right now, there's just so many, it's kind of difficult to get focused on one. O'BRIEN: A little while back, you released a photo of a man that you wanted to talk to as a possible witness. Has that person -- a sketch of him -- has that person been now upgraded to a potential suspect?

BLACKWELL: No, that's not occurred at all. The metropolitan police department did release a sketch of someone that was identified as a crucial witness, but we have yet to identify that person.

O'BRIEN: Can you read any more for me into a potential motive? Obviously, African-Americans appear to have been targeted here. Any more information that you're getting over the amount of time that you've continued this investigation?

BLACKWELL: No, the motive continues to be something that's been elusive for us. And while some have suggested that because the fires have involved African-Americans, that that might be part of the reason, but I think it's important for us to all keep in mind that we live in an area that is majority minority, and that may not be part of the rationale behind the fires.

O'BRIEN: The last time we spoke, the community very panicked, of course, for good reason. Have you seen that settle down a little bit?

BLACKWELL: Well, no, not at all. In fact, in light of the recent fires, I think there's been an elevated level of concern. And we would continue to encourage everyone throughout the region to be vigilant. I've often said, and truly believe, that no one is more familiar with things in their neighborhoods than the people that live there. And if they're seeing or suspect some things are out of place, or the least bit suspicious, we're hopeful that they would give us a call, or at least get the police out there and give us an opportunity to perhaps bring these crimes to an end.

O'BRIEN: Fire chief Ronald Blackwell, thanks for joining us. Appreciate your time. Of course we wish you the best of luck in cracking this case.

BLACKWELL: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired September 10, 2003 - 09:43   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A fire early this morning in Northeast Washington D.C. has investigators there speculating whether a serial arsonist is now back at work. Several fires in that region earlier this month also under investigation.
For the very latest on the case, we are joined from our Washington bureau by Ronald Blackwell. He is the fire chief in Prince Georges County, Maryland, which borders Washington.

Chief Blackwell, nice to see you. Thanks for joining us.

CHIEF RONALD BLACKWELL, PRINCE GEORGES CO. FIRE DEPT.: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

Let's talk a little bit about this fire that happened overnight. Tell me a little more about it. Is it similar in nature to the other ones that you've seen? I understand that a mother and her son were inside, managed to get out safely.

BLACKWELL: Yes, and we're very grateful that they were able to get out. But, yes, this fire is very similar in nature to the other 27 fires on our list of fires that we are actively investigating and pursuing. This fire did occur during that period of time that most of these fires have involved. It's between midnight and 6:00 in the morning, and it did begin on the outside of the structure.

O'BRIEN: Two more fires have officially been linked now, and it's really been awhile, chief, since we've spoken. Does that mean that you just don't have a lot of good leads in this case now?

BLACKWELL: Well, actually we do have leads and we're continuing to go through information. We did get very early on a lot of information that has taken some time to go through. So there are some reasons for us to be encouraged. But at the same time, this is going to be a difficult investigation.

O'BRIEN: Yes, no question about that. Explain to me what your thoughts are on the lull in arson activity.

BLACKWELL: Well, it's difficult to know. And there's been a lot of speculation that perhaps the person or people involved have been on vacation and out of the area. There's been speculation that perhaps the individual had been jailed and was recently released. And we're looking at any number of possibilities, but right now, there's just so many, it's kind of difficult to get focused on one. O'BRIEN: A little while back, you released a photo of a man that you wanted to talk to as a possible witness. Has that person -- a sketch of him -- has that person been now upgraded to a potential suspect?

BLACKWELL: No, that's not occurred at all. The metropolitan police department did release a sketch of someone that was identified as a crucial witness, but we have yet to identify that person.

O'BRIEN: Can you read any more for me into a potential motive? Obviously, African-Americans appear to have been targeted here. Any more information that you're getting over the amount of time that you've continued this investigation?

BLACKWELL: No, the motive continues to be something that's been elusive for us. And while some have suggested that because the fires have involved African-Americans, that that might be part of the reason, but I think it's important for us to all keep in mind that we live in an area that is majority minority, and that may not be part of the rationale behind the fires.

O'BRIEN: The last time we spoke, the community very panicked, of course, for good reason. Have you seen that settle down a little bit?

BLACKWELL: Well, no, not at all. In fact, in light of the recent fires, I think there's been an elevated level of concern. And we would continue to encourage everyone throughout the region to be vigilant. I've often said, and truly believe, that no one is more familiar with things in their neighborhoods than the people that live there. And if they're seeing or suspect some things are out of place, or the least bit suspicious, we're hopeful that they would give us a call, or at least get the police out there and give us an opportunity to perhaps bring these crimes to an end.

O'BRIEN: Fire chief Ronald Blackwell, thanks for joining us. Appreciate your time. Of course we wish you the best of luck in cracking this case.

BLACKWELL: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com