The fires were reported four days apart at the same Williams Avenue address, and no injuries were reported.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Philadelphia police and federal agents are investigating two suspected arson incidents reported four days apart at the same Williams Avenue property in the city’s Cedarbrook area, including one fire set near the rear entrance of a home that neighbors say operates as a daycare.
The investigation centers on fires reported Sept. 21 and Sept. 25 on the 8200 block of Williams Avenue. Police have released descriptions of women seen during the incidents, but authorities have not publicly established that the same person was responsible for both fires. No injuries were reported in either incident, and authorities had not announced an arrest as of Oct. 1.
The first fire was reported at about 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Police and firefighters responded to a rear door at the property, where investigators said a woman appeared to have set a can on fire before leaving. Surveillance video recorded the incident. Police described the woman as being in her 30s with a medium build and said she wore a black baseball cap, a white face covering, a red shirt and blue pants.
Separate video reviewed by FOX 29 shows a woman approaching the rear of the property and starting a fire near the base of the door. The footage shows her remaining near the flames before leaving the area. The daycare was closed at the time, according to the station, and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it spread. No nearby residents were injured.
A second fire occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 25, according to police. Officers learned about that incident the following day after speaking with a resident. Police said a woman was reported to have thrown a burning bottle at a parking bollard in a rear driveway, starting another fire. Engine 73 firefighters extinguished the flames.
The description given after the second incident differed from the description released after the first. Police said a resident described the woman as being in her 20s or 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build and medium-brown complexion. She was reported to be wearing glasses, a black cap, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants, with her hair in a bun. She was last seen heading west on Mount Airy Avenue.
Local reports have described the incidents as occurring in Cedarbrook or East Mount Airy, neighboring areas in northwest Philadelphia. Neighbors told reporters that the first fire was set behind a home used as a daycare. FOX 29 reported that only small scorch marks remained on the rear door and another area near the property after the fires.
The two incidents have drawn added attention because both occurred at the same location within several days. Police and fire officials are treating the fires as suspected arson cases. NBC10 reported that Philadelphia police are assisting agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the investigation.
Authorities have not publicly released a suspected motive or said whether investigators have confirmed a connection between the two women described in the reports. Police continue to seek information that could identify whoever was responsible for the fires.
Author note: Last updated October 1, 2026.