Police are on the lookout for an arsonist who has set three fires in Elizabeth Waters Hall in the last six weeks and are offering cash for anyone who provides reliable information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
UW-Madison campus police detective Harlan Hettrick said the fires share certain characeristics: They all occurred between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. in the northwest corner of the building, and they all involved garbage burning in large containers.
The fires occurred Feb. 28, March 4 and April 9 in two kitchenettes and in a utility room with non-combustible flooring and walls.
The fires have been contained to the trashcans and have either burned themselves out or have been quickly extinguished with water or a fire extinguisher. There has been no property loss other than the containers.
Hettrick met with residence hall staff last week to tell them to keep an eye out for any unusual activity or clues.
“We asked them to think about all of the possibilities as to why someone would intentionally set these fires,” Hettrick said.
Hettrick said he thought the fires might be the start of something more dangerous.
“Maybe there is someone out there who is having a difficult time and needs help — someone who may not be coping well,” he added. “We’ve got to stop this before something tragic happens, and perhaps intervention would be appropriate.”
Lori Berquam, the assistant residence life director for the Lakeshore dorms, said she has no sympathy for the perpetrator’s actions.
“They’re stupid, malicious, ill thought-of, attention-getting behaviors,” she said.
She said her main concern is for the residents of Liz Waters.
“Students don’t need alarms going off at 1:30 in the morning or fires being set,” she said. “We are concerned for their safety and their wellbeing.”
Berquam said safety precautions at the dorm have been heightened since the fires. Doors are locked more often, especially in the locations where fires have occurred, she said.
Hettrick said access to the residence hall is limited.
“This is a secure building with good access control,” he said. “It’s a quiet place, and it’s the residents’ home. These incidents are upsetting to them, put fear into them and make them mad. They are concerned for their safety, and they should be. There is nothing humorous about it.”
If caught, the perpetrator could face dismissal from school.
However, Berquam said she hopes it will not come to that point.
“The bottom line is, we want the student to get help and to stop the fires,” she said. “If this is a prank, it’s a serious prank.”
She could not speculate whether the arsonist lives in Elizabeth Waters.
“All I can say is I would really hope not,” Berquam said.
Anyone with information concerning the fires is asked to call the UWPD Crimestoppers line, 262-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for cash rewards if the information provided leads to an arrest or disciplinary action.
