13-year-old arrested in Urbana apartment building fires

URBANA — A 13-year-old has been arrested for setting fires in a stairwell in an apartment building where he lives.

Urbana police say the boy was arrested late Thursday afternoon at the 500 building at 908 N. Broadway Ave.

Small fires, none of which caused significant damage, had been set in a stairwell on Jan. 23, Jan. 24 and Feb. 13, according to police Lt. Bryant Seraphin. They were all set in the late afternoon or evening, and all in the same area in the southern stairwell in the eastern half of the building.

No injuries were reported, but police earlier this month asked for help finding who was responsible, out of concern that a future fire might do more serious damage or cause injury.

Urbana police and fire investigators both worked on the case, canvassing the area and interviewing residents. Those efforts and admissions by the 13-year-old led to his arrest, police said.

Seraphin asked that anyone with more information call Urbana police at 217-384-2320 or Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS. Tips can also be left online at http://www.373tips.com [2] or via text message by sending Tip397 to CRIMES (274637).