Police and firefighters were called to the area around E Pike and Broadway overnight after a series of small arson fires including one reported to have been set inside a cafe in the area after a break-in.
SPD says it took one man into custody in the string of destruction that started around 3:15 AM with a report of a large fire set in a parking lot along E Union where a 911 caller reported a man fanning the flames with a blanket and adding items to the bonfire.
Police were soon called to the 900 block of E Pike after a man matching the parking lot fire starter’s description was reported to have used a scooter to smash a cafe window and set fire to oily cardboard inside the business. The block is home to retail shops as well as a Via Tribunali pizza and Shikorina Pastries. We’re checking to learn more about what exactly was damaged in the reported melee…