Milton police fear an arsonist may be at work in the township after six incidents in the past week.
Constable Brian McKinney, of Milton, said a young male wearing a black hoodie and skate shoes was seen in Tokoiti Rd, where several fires were lit at two properties about 3am, yesterday.
At the first property, a boat and a shed were set alight, and a dog basket on the back doorstep of a house occupied by an elderly couple was also set on fire.
A 10l bucket of paint was poured over the couple's car in another garage on the property.
''The elderly owners are okay, but shaken,'' Const McKinney said.
A garage at a nearby property was burnt soon after, and windows in a house smashed.
Const McKinney believed the offender attempted to also set the house on fire, but was disturbed in the process.
''From there, he has gone on to High St and doused a four-wheel-drive vehicle with diesel but it hasn't ignited. Then he has gone to the Milton Highway and broken into a garage and tipped 20 litres of diesel through another vehicle. Again, there is no sign of ignition.''
Const McKinney said he was not sure why the vehicles had not been set alight.
Fire appliances from Milton and Balclutha were kept busy for most of the night putting out the fires, which caused considerable damage to property.
There had been suspicious fires on Tuesday and Thursday night this week, and he believed they were related to yesterday's incidents.
''We're worried we have a firebug on our hands. We've never had anything like it in my time.
''Targeting houses where people are living is very worrying.''
Even more worrying was the thought the offender may not have finished their fire-lighting spree, he said.
Police were yesterday still searching for the offender and asked the community to contact police with any information.
