SOUTH BEND -- It's been nearly a year since a string of suspicious fires began breaking out across South Bend, and some worry several recent fires in vacant houses could mean arson is on the rise again. But the South Bend Fire Department is using a series of new tools to help fight back.

Fire investigators are still investigating several suspicious fires over the weekend, including one at a vacant building near Western and Walnut that they say could have been set on purpose.

Similar suspicious fires began popping up last spring across the city, and some worry it's a bad sign that arson could be on the rise again.

Jose Pereira is one of them. He's watched the number of vacant homes in his neighborhood on Poland Street skyrocket over the last few years.

"There's a lot of abandoned houses," he said. "I don't know why, but yeah, it does make me [worry]."

Last spring he watched as 12 homes near his on the west side go up in smoke in less than 3 months.

Most were determined to be arson.

So, when he came home Friday night and saw fire trucks outside his house, he feared it might all be happening again.

"I thought it was my house, you know? I got kids, so it does [make me worried about it.] I don't want something to happen to them," he said.

But despite scenes like the one near his home, South Bend firefighters say the numbers of vacant house fires and arsons has actually gone down dramatically this year.

"Most of the fires of late have not been vacant," said South Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief Carl Buchanon. "They have been accidental."

In fact, Buchanon says investigators have only labeled 2 fires suspicious so far this year. But they know arson cases typically spike during warmer weather. So this year, they're not taking any chances.

"We're mentoring in a lot of South Bend schools," he said. "That gives us an opportunity to talk to the kids while we're there mentoring them about safety, and about fire, and we're reaching a lot of the younger kids. And I think that is helping to decrease a lot of the incidents that possibly could happen."

Investigators determined most of last year's arsons were started by teenagers -- who were eventually caught.

"We were able to apprehend numerous potential arson starters, and bring them to justice," he said. "That too helped to decrease the arson rate."

Still, Battalion Chief Buchanon knows the threat is always there. That's why he's asking for help.

"I'm seeing a lot more people out there, helping us, watching and guarding," he said.

This spring, Jose says that's exactly what he'll do.

"If I see anything, I'll call the cops," he said. "I'm not taking any chances with my kids."