50 cars burned, damaged in 5th arson incident

Arson investigators have determined that the fire that hit an auto shop’s junkyard in Chalan Laulau Friday afternoon was intentionally set off, bringing to five the number of arson cases on Saipan in the past two months.

The Department of Public Safety disclosed yesterday that 50 cars were burned or damaged in the blaze.

DPS spokesperson Eric David said yesterday that investigators have concluded that the fire at the Motion Automotive Repair shop’s junkyard was arson-related.

David said investigators did not release more details as the case is pending further investigation.

The Fire Division is seeking the community’s help in providing any information that will help them identify those who started the fire.

David said an unidentified person called 911 on Friday at 2:51pm to report a car fire.

A police officer responded to the Motion Automotive Repair Shop and found several vehicles on fire.

The officer closed off the main second road leading toward the shop and called for backup.

Fire and rescue personnel arrived and began putting out the fire. Residents surrounding the shop were safely evacuated. No one was reported injured.

Firefighters, with the help of the Airport Rescue Firefighters, managed to kill the blaze at 3pm that day.

Preliminary investigation showed that at 2:30pm, auto shop workers noticed fire and smoke coming from the southern corner of the lot where piles of cars were located.

The workers told their employer, Renato Batallones, about the fire. Batallones instructed one of the employees to call the police.

Batallones told investigators the flames were getting closer to his shop so he ordered his employees to move and secure all equipment to a safer location.

The fire caused minor explosions and sent a thick cloud of black smoke into the air.

This case brings to five the number of arson cases on Saipan in just two months.

On April 2, an unoccupied house in Kagman III was intentionally set on fire.

On March 14, a two-story building under renovation in Tanapag was intentionally burned by an unidentified person or persons.

On Feb. 16, an abandoned house in Kagman III Phase 1 was reportedly set on fire by unidentified person or persons.

On Feb. 5, an unoccupied house in Afetnas was reportedly intentionally burned by an unidentified person or persons.

As of yesterday, no one has been arrested yet in the five arson cases.