UPDATE 11/20/19:
UPDATE 11/19/19:
Holland Police detectives have identified a person of interest in the two arson investigations below. Police and Fire investigators have been following up on leads and piecing together evidence over the last two days, and are looking for the public's help. Anyone living in the areas of 16th Street, 17th Street, and 18th Street between River Avenue and Columbia Avenue are asked to call if they have home surveillance video of anyone walking through the area between midnight and 8:00 a.m., or if they observed suspicious behavior in this area late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
The combined effort between Police and Fire, along with the assistance of the Kent County Sheriff's Department arson dog, has led investigators to believe that accelerants were used in both fires and has led detectives to the person of interest.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to send an email to policetips@cityofholland.com or call detectives at 616-355-1150.
ORIGINAL RELEASE: 11/18/19
The Holland Department of Public Safety Fire Services responded to two fires in the early morning hours of 11/16/19. The first fire was reported at 03:27 a.m. at 17 W 16th Street, and was quickly extinguished without significant damage. The second fire was reported at 07:30 a.m. at 87 E 18th Street and involved significant damage and a firefighter who suffered a minor injury while fighting the fire.
Holland Police Detectives along with the Holland Fire Marshal are investigating both fires as suspicious in nature. The fires are believed to be connected. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to send an email to policetips@cityofholland.com or call detectives at 616-355-1150. You may also call Silent Observer anonymously at 1-877-88-SILENT, text OCMTIP and your message to 274627, or visit the Silent Observer website at www.mosotips.com