Arson is suspected in the setting of five fires in recent weeks in a small area of south Minneapolis, ranging from vehicles to garages to an American Indian sweat lodge.

The fires, all set under the cover of darkness, occurred in a 4- by 6-block area that is bisected east to west by Franklin Avenue, authorities said Wednesday.

The first suspicious blaze occurred about 4:15 a.m. on Oct. 30 in a sweat lodge in the 1600 block of E. 19th Street, according to Minneapolis arson squad Sgt. Sean McKenna.

The others were:

• Unlocked vehicle, 1900 block of Elliot Avenue, 4:23 a.m. Nov. 4.

• Garage, 1900 block of Elliot, 9:05 p.m. Nov. 9.

• Garage, 2100 block of 13th Avenue, 10:45 p.m. Nov. 9

• Unlocked vehicle, 1800 block of 13th Avenue, overnight Nov. 17.

Suspect information released by fire officials was vague.

Anyone with information about any of these fires is asked to contact McKenna at 612-673-3389 or call the Arson Hot Line at 1-800-723-2020.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482