Published on August 29, 2026
During a 6-hour period spanning the evening of August 28th into the early morning of August 29, 2026, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to 5 small fires throughout the northeast side of the city. An investigation into the cause of these fires is still ongoing. However, investigators are looking into the possibility that the fires were intentionally set.
During the 6-hour period, KDPS personnel responded to a trash can on fire in the 700 block of N. Burdick at 9:30 p.m., followed by a porta-potty on fire in the 2200 block of Oxford at 10:40 p.m. Crews were later dispatched to foliage near a fence on fire near the intersection of S. Riverview and E. Paterson St. at 10:50 pm. At approximately 2:00 a.m.crews responded to a vehicle on fire in the 2700 block of Cimarron Dr. While responding to the area Life EMS crews reported a trash can on fire in the 2900 block of Cimarron Dr. Fortunately, the fires were able to be extinguished quickly limiting the amount of damage to personal property. At this time, no civilian or fire personnel injuries have been reported.
KDPS officers are actively working to identify the person(s) responsible and prevent additional incidents from happening.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, via the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
By authority of: Lieutenant Kelly Pittelkow