San Jose police and a fire department arson team are looking into how four new fires were set on Friday morning all within an hour and a five-or-so block radius of one another.
San Jose Fire Capt. Mike Van Elgort said the fires are "highly suspicious in origin" and "highly concerning."
Since 3:50 a.m., three fires in San Jose were set, and a fourth one was set, but did not actually ignite, he said. The fires inflicted only minor structural damage, Van Elgort said, but they did confuse and frighten homeowners who raced out in their pajamas to see flames licking at their homes.
"Your house is on fire!" Martha Yenez told NBC Bay Area her neighbor shouted early in the morning. "I jumped out of bed. My husband and I ran outside. We threw buckets and water on it. I got my older kids to help."
Yenez said the fire seemed to have started in a plastic toolbox next to her house.
MORE: San Jose Firefighters Battle Raging Fires at Warehouse, Home, Condo
Friday's fires include: a porch fire at 3:51 a.m. at 24th and Peach Streets; a fire about 4 a.m. on 24th Street near E. San Fernando Street; and a fire at 4:30 a.m. at 28th and San Antonio streets.
On Thursday, two small fires were also reported in San Jose, which may be connected to the string of intentionally set fires.
Investigators have no suspect description at this time, but will review the video that the media has been reporting on, as well as home surveillance images that might exist.
At this point, authorities do not believe these small porch fires are connected to Thursday's massive warehouse fire on Julian Street, a three-alarm fire house fire on South 17th Street, or a two-alarm condominium fire on Trevino Terrace off of Trinidad Drive
RAW VIDEO:5-Alarm SJ Warehouse Fire Causes Explosions, Roof Collapse
