ATF to Help Investigate String of Suspicious Fires in Gary, Indiana May 5, 2021 The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will help the Gary police and fire departments investigate a series of recent suspicious fires, authorities said. Firefighters from throughout Lake and Porter counties worked Saturday night and early Sunday to extinguish blazes at 17 vacant buildings in 11 different locations throughout Gary, Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell said. Some of the structures were fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, he said. No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported. Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said the city’s fire and police departments immediately began an investigation and it became clear the city needed to seek all the resources it could to bring anyone who might be responsible to justice.