Dog track fire in Raynham considered arson

Posted: 12/04/12 at 12:05 pm EST      Last Updated: 12/04/12 at 10:26 pm EST

RAYNHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- Investigators believe a fire at a dog tack in Raynham may be connected to a series of fires along the south shore.

No one was hurt in the fire at a storage shed at Raynham Taunton Dog Track in Raynham, which happened around 9:45 p.m. Monday.

The Raynham fire chief is calling the fire arson.

“So far it definitely was set,” said Chief James Januse of the Raynham Fire Department. “At this time it does look like it was an arson fire.”

This is the latest of a string of fires in southeastern Massachusetts in recent weeks. Officials said the fires are definitely the work of one or more arsonists.

“We are reaching out to the public. If anybody saw anything…last night around 9:45 or 9:50 in that area please call the arson hotline,” said Januse.

So far all the fires have been in vacant buildings.

The owner of the dog track talked about being the latest victim.

“One of those things that we’re under concern for quite awhile with us, with extra security we’ve been watching, but we figured it might happen to somebody else, but we didn’t expect it to happen to us to be honest with you,” said George Carney, owner of the Raynham Taunton Dog Track.

Fire investigators urge anyone with information to contact the state arson hotline at 1-800-682-9229. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered.

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