The serial arsonist, who has been setting elevators aflame in Florence since 1998, expanded beyond his usual territory when he set fire to an elevator in a seven-story building in Scandicci last week.
Using a door mat and inflammatory liquid the arsonist ignited a fire in an elevator connected to the below-level parking garage of the apartment complex. Fortunately for residents, the fire was noticed in time for police and firemen to put it out before it caused any serious damage, and an evacuation of the building was not necessary.
There is concern that the perpetrator of these crimes will be difficult to catch. This is the fourth episode since the beginning of this year, and the 39th incident since they began in 1998.
On a positive note, because calls to the police were made almost immediately after the fire began in the elevator, police claim that the perpetrator’s tracks may not have been completely eliminated by the flames this time around and that some interesting leads may have remained.
Several dumpsters that were set on fire in the centre of Florence the same evening as the elevator fire in Scandicci have led police to suspect that the elevator arsonist may be responsible for these dumpster fires as well.
