Arsonists were responsible for two automobile fires that occurred minutes apart in Tacony early Friday morning, authorities say, although no arrests have been made.
Firefighters first went to the 6300 block of Torresdale Ave. at 1:51 a.m. where they found a gray Nissan Pathfinder engulfed in flames. The vehicle was parked on a curb. Eighteen minutes later, firefighters were called to the 6300 block of Ditman St. where they found a 2010 Mercury Mariner on fire in the rear driveway of a rowhouse. The flames had spread to a neighbor’s car and to the exterior of a home, although the structure had only minor damage.
Both fires were extinguished within minutes, although flames left the Pathfinder and Mariner as burnt-out shells.
According to broadcast reports, a man, his girlfriend and an 8-year-old girl fled the Ditman Street home after a neighbor’s dog sensed the danger and alerted his owners, who in turn alerted the fire victims.
The fire marshal determined that both fires were intentionally set. Police have released no descriptions of the crooks or a suspected motive. ••
