SANTEE, Calif. (KGTV) - A report of another car found burning in a driveway is raising questions about a possible fire starter targeting vehicles in Santee.
On Shaggybark Drive, Michelle Genshaw and her husband were pulling out of their home two weeks ago -- just before 4:30 in the morning -- when they saw flames in their neighbor's driveway. A 2007 Acura TL was on fire.
"It looked odd because there were flames coming out of the front and back of the car, like two separates fires," said Genshaw.
Genshaw's husband banged on the door, waking the Arnold family. Together, they put the fire out with a hose a few minutes later. Catherine Arnold is thankful the fire didn't spread, but she tells us the car is a total loss.
"It's really upsetting. It was my father's car and he passed away and it was the last thing belonging to my dad that I had," said Arnold.
Sheriff's investigators were called out and concluded it was arson.
"We talked to police and they said they smelled gas," said Genshaw.
A week and a half later, car alarms sounded along with a Mother's Day inferno on Pearlwood Road. Neighbors discovered a newly purchased Ford Mustang convertible torched in a driveway. Mason jars with a flammable liquid were found near the gas tank. A rag was discovered in the car. The two incidents were about 2 miles apart.
10news asked investigators about both arsons, and they said they're looking into a possible link, but have yet to connect them. Meanwhile, residents in two neighborhoods are now on edge.
"It's really scary to think that could be going on in our neighborhood," said Genshaw.
If you have information on the cases, call the Santee Sheriff's substation at 619-956-4000 or Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477.
