Another car fire in the East Bay

EL SOBRANTE, CA (KGO) -- An arsonist continues to terrorize people in Richmond and El Sobrante by torching their cars. Fortunately, those attacks have not yet sparked a home fire.

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Sixteen vehicles have been set on fire at 10 locations in the past week.

A Toyota Corolla was burned early Tuesday morning. Firefighters and arson investigators were quick to arrive on the scene of the latest car fire. They are anticipating more such fires until the arsonist is caught.

"This fire appears very similar. We haven't finished processing the scene to make that final determination, but it could potentially fit into the pattern of the arson vehicle fires that we have had over the course of the last week," said Vic Massenkoff of the Contra Costa Co. Fire Department.

Investigators say the arsonist, who burst on the scene last week, is not targeting people, or even a particular make of car, it's all random.

For the owner of Corolla, the arsonist has shattered her life. Julia, who did not want to go on camera and spoke through an interpreter, has lost the only transportation she had for herself and her three daughters. She has no insurance.

"She has to take her kids to school, she has to go to work and go to school and she has no idea," said Julia's interpreter.

Whoever is doing it has scared Mark Donahue and his 13-year-old laughter Lynn Rose who live near Tuesday morning's blaze.

"This car did set on fire, her bedroom window was right next to it and if it explodes, we are talking a lot of houses to burn here. And so yeah, I'm very concerned," said Mark Donahue.

Julia was asked if she would be interested in accepting assistance, if someone were interested in offering it.

"She said if someone can help then of course, but she is not the only one who is being affected, there has been like 14 fires now, but if somebody could help her, she is willing to take the help," said Julia's interpreter.

If you can help arson investigators, please call 866-50-ARSON (27766).

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fire, east bay news, terry mcsweeney

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