South Bend Fire Chief Carl Buchanon hosted a news conference on Friday, May 19, to address an alarming increase in structure fires within the city limits of South Bend.

Chief Buchanon expressed concern over the rise in suspicious fires, with approximately 10 incidents deemed as such.

He said the fires have happened throughout different parts of the city, mainly in abandoned homes.

The South Bend Police Department is working alongside the fire department which is investigating whether or not arson is the cause of the suspicious blazes.

Buchanon also said that kitchen and cooking-related fires are also to blame for many of the calls they’ve been sent on this year.

The number of structure fires has risen by 38% compared to the same period in 2022.