Fremont Fire investigators searching for serial arsonist

FREMONT, Calif. (KTVU) - In Fremont, investigators are searching for a serial arsonist who they say is responsible for lighting at least 15 fires since July. The last one happened on Sunday. The fires are concentrated in the Warm Springs area, some dangerously close to homes.
　
Anh Nguyen's dragon fruit and vegetable trees in his backyard garden were badly burned Friday afternoon, after he said; someone lit the bushes on the opposite side of his fence on fire Friday afternoon. He estimates flames reached 30 feet high burning his juniper trees and melting part of his patio.

"It's terrible," said Anh Nguyen. "It's hard for me. I'm pretty scared. I heard the fire and went back home, oh my God."
　
What's even more terrible was his daughter Cathy was home at the time.
　
"It was really hot," said Cathy Nguyen. "It was just so hot and I was really scared."
　
She had no idea about the fire until neighbors told her to get out. She got emotional talking about it, triggering a memory of a fire from when she was young.
　
"It happened to our house before," said Cathy Nguyen. "It's kind of scary to think about and so I didn't want to. I didn't want it to happen"
　
Authorizes said this is one of 15 fires since July 16 and evidence points to one arsonist. All of them are happening in Warm Springs at first in the overnight hours but more recently during the day.
　
"They have started out small now the fires have been progressively growing in size and in nature so it's been bushes along fences next to homes," said Fremont Fire Division Chief Diane Hendry.
　
Hendry said the fires are tying up resources, sparking concerns the community may be at risk.
　
"What's scary is all fires start small and you just don't know what could happen," said Hendry.
　
Nabeeha Khan was one of the neighbors who saw the fire and is staying vigilant.
　
"The fire got big, really big really fast," said Khan.
　
All of them are hoping authorities catch whoever is responsible before someone gets seriously injured or worse.
"Why would he or she want to do something like this to someone else?" said Cathy Nguyen. "It's terrible. It's a terrible feeling."
　
Two Fremont Police officers are now responding every time there's a fire call in Warm Springs.
　
Anyone with information is asked to call Fremont Police at (510) 790-6900 or you can send Fremont Police an anonymous tip by texting TIP FREMONTPD followed by the message to 888-777.