Kids Suspected in 2 Small Fires in Hamilton Area

Investigators are seeking to track down the identities of kids suspected of starting two fires Friday in the Hamilton area of Novato, the Novato Fire District said.

At 6:24 p.m., firefighters responded to a vegetation fire on the grounds of Hamilton Meadow Park School on Main Gate Road, Division Chief Mark Heine said. A small area of bushes burned and there was no damage to the school buildings, he said.

The cause is under investigation, but initial reports were that juveniles set the fire, Heine said.

At 7:14 p.m., there was a second call for a brush fire, this time on Palm Drive in the center of downtown Hamilton, near Unity in Marin church and the shuttered Hamilton Theater. Heine said a quarter-acre burned and there was no damage to structures. That time, a witness saw kids lighting the fire, the chief said.

Novato police blocked off traffic to the area as firefighters did their job and then assisted in searching the area for suspects. Police investigators are teaming up with fire personnel to look into the incidents, which took place three-quarters of a mile away from each other.

If you have information to offer, call Novato police at 897-4361.

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