This story has been updated.
NORTHAMPTON — Police said a 27-year-old city man set two small fires during Memorial Day weekend behind Walgreens and is not expected to face criminal charges.
Authorities responded to Walgreens, 225R King St., Sunday and Monday for separate reports of burned paper and magazine scraps in an area behind the store, police said.
Authorities did not identify the man responsible for the fires, and said no charges are pending.
Police said Thursday that these two fires are not believed to be connected to previous fires, also in Ward 3, that remain under investigation. As many as six suspicious fires were reported in Ward 3 in March, evoking memories of an arson spree that devastated the same area in 2009, leading to the deaths of two residents.
Police Captain John Cartledge said no charges were being filed against the man because the items he admitted to burning were his own possessions, and that he never attempted to actually set fire to a dwelling.
Northampton Fire Rescue and the Massachusetts State Police Fire Marshal’s Office were also involved in the investigation of the fires at Walgreens.
The Northampton Police Department encourages anyone who sees anything suspicious to call Northampton Public Safety at 413-587-1100.