MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Fire Department wants your help solving a series of arson fires.

The department is afraid someone could get hurt if the arsonists aren't caught soon.

Neighbors are fed up with the arson fires in the area near 1st and Center. Now, the Milwaukee Fire Department and other city leaders are stepping up to help out with their concerns.

The Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Department of Neighborhood Services looked over 20 vacant and charred homes that neighbors want raised.

“I'm much more bothered by the fact that there's a risk than vacant homes,” neighbor Joe Spear said.

Officials say arsonists have been setting fire to abandoned buildings, putting lives in danger. A recent fire near 1st and Center left a firefighter and captain with serious injuries.

“Our concern is these are very serious and difficult fires to fight because they're normally very advanced. Normally because there's an accelerant used,” Milwaukee Fire Chief Doug Holton said.

The fire department met with concerned neighbors who identified problematic buildings. Neighbors identified one home that arsonists have already targeted twice.

“We've got a concern about the safety of our personnel and we also have a concern about the neighbors,” Chief Holton said.

So the city is looking to see which vacant homes can and need to be raised.

“Because having vacant homes here is just a recipe for bedlam,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.

If the efforts work in the neighborhood they may offer hope to other areas, but it’s a matter of those neighbors speaking up.

The fire chief is working with the budget department to create a fire arson investigation team on the department. Milwaukee police currently have one.