Prosecutors say man set fires in Northeast area of Kansas City

Prosecutors have accused a 51-year-old Kansas City man of deliberately setting four fires in the Northeast area of Kansas City.

Police arrested James L. Huff early Tuesday after seeing him on a porch in the 5400 block of Smart Avenue watching a fire that had been set at the back door of a structure in the 400 block of Drury Avenue.

According to court records, Huff allegedly placed a car seat at the back door and set it on fire. Officers and fire crews extinguish the fire.

Since June 23, fire crews have responded to several trash and dumpster fires in the Independence Avenue area, between Van Brunt Boulevard and White Avenue. Police sent extra patrols to the area.

After his arrest, Huff admitted to police that he had set four fires, according to court records.

Glenn E. Rice, grice@kcstar.com

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Prosecutors say man set fires in Northeast area of Kansas City."