BOSTON — Three arson attacks in one week in suburbs outside of Boston – each extinguished before producing extensive damage – have put the Jewish community and others in the area on edge.

The first fire occurred last Saturday around 11 p.m. at the home of Rabbi Avi Bukiet and his family. They live on site at the Chabad Center of Jewish Life in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Firefighters were called to a second fire at the same Jewish center and home Thursday around 9 p.m.

About an hour later, firefighters in the town of Needham, less than 20 miles away, were dispatched to yet another fire, this time at the Needham Chabad Center.

Although no one was injured in these acts of arson, the events come on the heels of recent attacks on Jewish synagogues that were fueled by anti-Semitism. One person was killed and four injured at a mass shooting at a temple outside San Diego, California, last month. An attack last October at a synagogue in Pittsburgh killed 11.

Jewish leaders, including Bukiet and his wife Luna Bukiet, Arlington police and others held a news conference Friday to condemn the arsons and to call on the public to help find the perpetrators.

"Arlington is a very safe community and we understand that this is something that is an anomaly," Bukiet said. "This is something which has not just shook Luna and myself to the core, but it has shocked the entire community, and they're sharing that with us."

He said the fires have targeted not just the centers, but "our personal family." Despite the community hurting, he praised the "overwhelming support and love and care" that people from all backgrounds have demonstrated.

"It just shows us that we are in a community where we want to stay," he said, adding, "We will persevere with their help and God's help."

Police have not released names of potential suspects and they are still investigating whether the fires are related. Law enforcement officials, who are treating the fires as being intentional, say they have surveillance footage of a person of interest. A $20,000 reward is on the table for any information that leads to arrests.

"We have committed our lives to spreading the universal message of light and love," Luna Bukiet said. "This will not deter us."

The two fires at the Bukiet residence at the Chabad Center were limited to the outside rear of the house. A police officer, who arrived 30 seconds after an initial call, was able to put Thursday's most recent fire out with a handheld fire extinguisher, limiting damage to wood shingles, according to Arlington police.

"These are extremely concerning incidents in which an innocent family has had the safety and security of their home compromised by some else's violent actions," Acting Arlington Chief of Police Julie Flaherty said.

In Needham, police say the fire later Thursday evening was extinguished by the person who reported the blaze prior to the arrival of personnel. The fire was set to the lattice and vinyl siding on the side of the dwelling, according to police. Needham police say that the reporting person relayed that the fire was "intentionally set."

Chanie Krinsky, wife of Rabbi Mendy Krinsky and co-director of the Needham Center, wrote about her experience on Facebook, saying she picked up on the smell of the fire and that her husband was able to put it out before the fire alarm went off.

"Somebody out there wants to hurt us," she wrote. "Just because we exist. And that is frightening. Hate can't be reasoned with. Hate just needs to be eradicated. A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness. Please take this opportunity to help us end this darkness. Do a mitzvah today to bring more light into this world!"

Although there were no direct threats or graffiti on the dwelling, the Needham Police Department said they are treating the incident as a possible hate crime.

According to the Anti-Defamation League of New England, Massachusetts had three recorded assaults targeting Jews in 2018 after having none in 2017. There were 59 harassment incidents against Jews reported in Massachusetts last year, a decrease from 68 in 2017. The number of anti-Semitic vandalism incidents decreased from 109 to 82 from 2017 to 2018.

"Attacking any place of worship is a despicable act, but since these buildings are also family homes where children live, eat, and play, it is personal, scary and dangerous," Robert Trestan, executive director of the Anti-Defamation League of New England tweeted. "We are united in prioritizing vigilance while refusing to be intimidated."