Authorities investigate arsons in Manchester

Nov. 7—Manchester authorities are investigating who was behind a half-dozen brush and vehicle fires on Wednesday, including one that took a few hours to bring under control.

"We do believe those are set and we are asking the community to help us," Fire Chief Ryan Cashin said Thursday. "If you see something, say something."

Authorities "have not ruled that out" that one person is behind the six fires, he said.

Both the fire and police departments are investigating.

Authorities believe the fires were set "based on where the fires were" and "some signs of people in the area," the chief said

"As of right now, we don't believe there is a threat to property or human life," Cashin said. "We are actively investigating."

Before 5 p.m. Wednesday, fire crews respond to a small outside fire in the area of Waterford Way near Hooksett. About an hour later, they responded to the same place for another small outside fire. A third one was reported after 7 p.m. in the same general area, according to the fire department.

There also were two car fires Wednesday in the same location, though, firefighters were only called to one.

At 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters were called to another outside debris pile fire in the area of Rimmon Acres. Unlike the others that were quickly extinguished, the Rimmon Acres fire took a couple hours to bring under control due to the remote location and thick debris pile.

There were no injuries or property damage.

An initial damage estimate of $15,000 included in an earlier fire department statement was later withdrawn pending more investigation.

Hooksett firefighters on Tuesday responded to a brush fire behind the Market Basket on Hooksett Road, according to New Hampshire Fire Alarm on X.

Hooksett fire officials weren't immediately available for comment.