Arsonist strikes apartment complex three times leaving families without homes, police say

PINEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities in Pineville are investigating a series of fires intentionally set at The Brook apartments off Park Road.

The arsons happened on Oct. 15, Nov. 15, and most recently on Monday morning, police said.

A resident filmed a video of the leasing office on fire on Monday morning exactly one month after another fire.

A resident showed Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe a video of the fire from October.

“It impacted like 12 families, and they got displaced,” said neighbor Blanca Arriola.

Last night’s fire sounded like fireworks, she said.

Initially, Arriola said she thought there was something wrong with the infrastructure because the complex has been around for a while.

“This is an older community, and I go, ‘Is it electrical fires?’” she said.

Residents are on edge because someone is targeting their homes.

“I’m concerned because we do know that several residents had been asked to leave because of their ways,” Arriola said.

They are staying vigilant until investigators catch whoever is responsible.

“It’s unpredictable,” Arriola said. “If something is burning, it’s hard to tell what you are able to do or capable of doing at that time.”

Management sent a letter to residents saying the leasing office is not habitable.

Several families were displaced after the fires caused significant damage, police said.

The Pineville Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the three cases.

Investigators want anyone with information to contact the Pineville Police Department at 704-889-2231 or call their anonymous phone line at 704-889-TIPS.

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