Newport Beach : Arsonist Sought in 14 Neighborhood Fires

Police are looking for an arsonist suspected of setting 14 fires over the past 10 months in the Harbor View Hills neighborhood, including two earlier this week.

In one of the latest fires--set Sunday night on Port Westbourne Place, a quiet residential street--neighbors reported seeing a 17- or 18-year-old youth with blond hair fleeing the area on a mountain bike when the fire was discovered.

“Somebody saw a person fitting that description leaving the area,” said Robert Oakley, a police spokesman. “That’s all we know. He may be a suspect, he may be a witness.”

Shortly before midnight, James K. Yin saw his 1982 Volvo burst into flames, Oakley said. The car was parked in Yin’s driveway in the 1800 block of Port Westbourne Place.

About the same time, some chairs at the Harbor View Homes clubhouse, at the corner of Port Westbourne and Port Charles Place, also were set on fire, Oakley said.

Since July 15, 1988, three neighborhood homes also have been set on fire and four cars burned. In addition, several trash can fires have been reported, Oakley said.

There have been no injuries as a result of the fires, police said.

Oakley said the 14 fires may be the work of one individual, although he provided no specific details linking the blazes.

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Correction

The area is Harbor View Homes, not Harbor View Hills.

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