Five suspicious leaf bag fires were reported throughout the Buttonwoods neighborhood Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

Reports of fires came from Inez Avenue, Metropolitan Drive, Asylum Road and Wethersfield Drive. The fires occurred in large paper bags that residents had filled with yard waste and placed in front of their homes for roadside pickup.

“I walked into my living room, looked out my front window and saw the bags of leaves in front of my house burning,” said Erin Croft McGaughey of Inez Avenue, who added that her daughter and friend had raked and bagged the leaves as a birthday present for her. “On the positive side, as we were putting the fire out we met some new neighbors. I’m so glad it happened while we were awake and could stop it.”

Other fires, such as two on Metropolitan Avenue, occurred around 4:30 a.m. before being extinguished by the Warwick Fire Department. With the recent drought and dry conditions, neighbors in the area are concerned that such incidents could lead to the spread of larger fires.

“Last night there were several reported fires in the area, and the Warwick Police Department has started an investigation,” said Warwick Fire Chief James McLaughlin on Monday. “The most important thing at this point is if someone has bagged leaves near their home or other structure to move them out by the curb where there wouldn’t be any danger of a fire spreading to a house. That’s the best thing they can do right now.”

While the fires are still under investigation, according to Chief McLaughlin, they appear unrelated to a house fire, which the chief said appeared to be accidental, that occurred at 551 Oakland Beach Avenue early Sunday afternoon. A woman and child were evacuated from the home. No injuries were reported.  

Residents are asked to keep an eye open on leaf bag fires and to call 911 or the Warwick Fire Department at 468-4000 if a fire is detected. Those with information regarding the fires, or to report suspicious activity, may call the Warwick Police Department at 468-4200.