String of fires grows longer

Michael Davis got a rude wake-up call Tuesday. At 5 p.m., the Superior man got a knock on his door and learned that his vehicle had been destroyed by fire.

He bought the Chevy Metro a month ago with tax refund money. Tuesday, it sat useless in front of 1516-1518 Broadway Ave. The rear windows were broken out; the interior burned down to metal springs and seat backs. Davis said that although there were cars parked both in front of and behind his car, but the Metro was the only vehicle damaged.

Superior firefighters responded to three suspicious fires within two blocks of each other Tuesday morning, according to Superior Battalion Chief Vern Johnson. A car fire was reported at 1422 N. 11th St. at 4:21 a.m. Four minutes later, a shed fire was discovered at 1423 N. 11th St. Firefighters responded to Davis’ car fire at 1516 Broadway Ave. at 4:55 a.m. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Johnson said all three were suspicious because they took place in the same neighborhood and the same timeframe. The cars each sustained about $3,000 in damage, according to initial estimates. Damage to the shed was estimated at $1,000.

The Superior Police Department has been investigating a series of arson fires over the past few months. The trio of Tuesday blazes brings the number of suspected arson cases to nine. The fires have been set to a variety of properties, including vacant and occupied homes, garages, sheds, recreational vehicles and cars in downtown Superior.

Davis works as a sauté and prep cook for a restaurant on London Road in Duluth. He recently got a raise and changed his schedule so he could drive to work. Now, he’s back to riding the bus. Davis was in the process of setting up insurance on the vehicle, but didn’t have any in place when the fire occurred.

Even if he gets any money for the car’s scrap metal, Davis said, it will be earmarked for bus fare.

“Whoever did it, I’m definitely pressing charges for arson,” the Superior man said.

The Superior Police Department is seeking the public’s help to locate the person or persons responsible for setting the fires. Citizens are asked to be observant in and around their neighborhoods and property and take reasonable steps to secure their homes, garages, sheds and automobiles. Anyone with information that may help identify whoever is responsible is strongly encouraged to contact the Superior Police Department. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Superior Police Department at (715) 395-7465, the tip line at (715) 395-7468 or 911. The department can also be reached on Facebook or the anonymous texting tip line — text keyword “spdtip” and your tip to 847411.

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