A joint task force has been formed to investigate a series of suspicious fires near the University of Michigan's Central Campus in recent months, officials announced today.

The task force includes members from the Ann Arbor Police Department, Ann Arbor Fire Department and University of Michigan Department of Public Safety.

Officials earlier said a series of car fires have been set since the beginning of the year, including four over a 20-minute span Friday night into Saturday morning.

This car fire was among the April 17 fires labeled as arson. - Photo courtesy of Darren Levitt

Investigators say it's not yet known whether a house fire on South State Street on April 3 that killed a 22-year-old Eastern Michigan University student and injured two others is linked to the car fires. That same night, three other fires were reported - including one that consumed three cars.

Diane Brown of the U-M Department of Public Safety, a spokeswoman for the task force, said investigators don't yet know how many fires may be linked. She said detectives are going back through reports of past fires - including trash can and car fires - to see whether a pattern exists.

Brown said police do not have any suspects, nor do they have a description or know whether more than one person is involved.

“Thus far our investigation has determined that the four vehicle fires on April 17 were intentionally set,” Ann Arbor Fire Chief Dominick Lanza said in a release. “Since two previous fires occurred at two of the same locations as the vehicle fires, we believe there may be a connection. What we haven’t been able to conclude yet is whether the house fire on April 3 is connected.”

The task force will allow the departments to combine their resources, a press release said. Investigators also are consulting with Michigan State Police arson investigators, Ann Arbor Police Chief Barnett Jones said in the release.

"Though these fires have occurred in the city’s jurisdiction, they have occurred in residential areas highly populated by U-M students, and we are concerned and want to help,” U-M police Executive Director Ken Magee said in the release.

A reward of up to $5,000 for information about the fires is being offered by the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee.

Additional patrols have been added as part of the investigation. Brown said police are paying extra attention to trash and furniture that can pile up as U-M students move out for the summer.

Police also are asking residents to report suspicious activity, clear building exits of combustibles and trash, ensure the smoke detectors in buildings are functional, and immediately evacuate buildings when alarms activate.

"It's important for the community to share information and to report any suspicious activity immediately, especially if the activity is occurring around vehicles," Brown said.

Anyone with information about the recent fires is asked to call police at (734) 794-6939 or e-mail Tips@A2gov.org.