WASHINGTON - Investigators are looking into a series of suspicious fires in a Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Residents say there have been three fires in dumpsters or recycling bins in the last four weeks in an alley behind 3rd Street Southeast.

"It's quite a concern if someone is setting these fires," said Charles Bayer, who lives in the neighborhood.

A couple weeks ago Gerry Rubinaccio watched in horror as flames ripped through a dumpster.

"I just saw flames in that dumpster and I was really surprised because there's a church right next door," Rubinaccio said.

Residents are concerned the fire could spread to their homes.

"So imagine if someone started a dumpster fire right next to my building," Rubinaccio said. "It could have lit the whole entire building on fire."

That's what worries neighbor Laura Olson, who recalled an incident last Monday outside her home.

"This was 1:30 in the morning. The flames were 20 feet high. My roommate got the hose and put it out herself," Olson said. "Had she not come home at 1:30 in the morning, I think that whole building would have started on fire."

Police and fire investigators are aware of the fires and are looking into them.

Fire officials say they are following good leads on this case and are actively looking to the public for information.

 Email To Friend