Central Park brush fires appear to be arson

NEW YORK - Firefighters had to put out brush fires in Manhattan, of all places. Emergency crews responded to three apparent arson fires in Central Park on Tuesday afternoon. 

The fires were reported at about 1:20 p.m. in the North Woods area of the park, which is near 110th Street, the FDNY said.

Twitter user Ross Kenneth Urken, a journalist, posted several photos from the park showing flames, smoke, an ambulance, an FDNY truck, and an NYPD van.

Police were looking for a man who was believed to be setting them. He was described as white, wearing green pants, and a black hooded shirt.

At 3:01 p.m., the FDNY automated alert system tweeted that the fires were under control.

The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, said inspections showed no serious damage from the fires, which mostly burned mulch, leaves, and some shrubbery. No trees were damaged.

With The Associated Press.