PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Residents in Philadelphia’s Cedarbrook neighborhood say they are concerned after two suspected arson incidents occurred within days of each other, according to police and neighbors.
Police said the first incident happened Sept. 21, 2026, at about 7 p.m., when officers responded to a report of a fire at a rear door on the 8200 block of Williams Avenue. Firefighters and the fire marshal responded to the scene.
The suspect was described by police as a woman in her 30s with a medium build, wearing a black baseball cap, white face covering, red shirt and blue pants.
Investigators said the woman appeared to have ignited a can before fleeing the area. Surveillance video captured the incident.
Neighbors said the fire occurred behind a home that operates as a daycare. Video also showed a passerby attempting to alert anyone inside and using a child’s toy filled with rainwater to help extinguish the flames before firefighters arrived.
A second incident was reported four days later. Police said they responded Sept. 26 and spoke with a resident about a fire that occurred the previous evening, Sept. 25, at about 10:30 p.m.
According to the resident, a woman believed to be in her 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium-brown complexion and medium build, threw a bottle that had been set on fire at a parking bollard in a rear driveway. Neighbors say an A/C unit was also targeted.
The woman was described as wearing glasses, her hair in a bun, a black cap, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants. Firefighters responded and extinguished the fire.
Police said the suspect was last seen fleeing westbound on Mount Airy Avenue.
Neighbors said they fear additional incidents could occur if the suspect is not caught.
“One down and then it’ll be my turn, so hopefully we be able to get her off the street,” said resident Dave Wallace.
Another resident, Kyle Donaldson, expressed concern about the potential consequences if the fires continue.
“If she succeeds in what she’s doing, somebody’s house is gonna wind up burning down,” Donaldson said. “It could possibly cause somebody to be killed in a fire.”
Simone Johnson, who was captured on surveillance video walking her dog during the second incident, said she did not realize what she had witnessed until later.
“Just the thought that she probably could do something like this again to somebody’s house like this again really scares me,” Johnson said.
Neighbors said they do not know who the woman is or why their street appears to be targeted. No injuries were reported in either incident, and no arrest has been made.
Police said the investigations into both fires remain ongoing.
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