Police Question Woman After Fires Were Set Near Binghamton Homes

Binghamton police apprehended a suspect following a series of arson fires on the city's West Side.

Witnesses said they spotted a woman lighting debris along railroad tracks near the end of Walnut Street shortly before 2 p.m. Monday.

Two men who saw what was going on told WNBF News they worked to extinguish the blazes before they could spread. They said they were concerned they could burn out of control and spread to nearby homes because of a steady breeze.

City firefighters were dispatched to the railroad tracks but the situation was under control by the time they arrived.

One of the witnesses said the woman who was setting the fires appeared to be under the influence of something. He said she was yelling something about "getting rid of the chemicals."

Minutes later, police officers found a woman matching the description of the suspect near Clinton Street, a short distance from where the fires occurred. She reportedly was being questioned about the incidents.

The Binghamton police and fire departments were called after a woman set a series of fires along railroad tracks on April 19, 2021. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News