Allstonian reports three cars were set on fire this morning off Pratt Street - and then another one went up in flames across the street after firefighters put out those fires.

Christine Varriale reports:

Thank goodness for the old Chinese lady next door with the garden hose. I can't believe someone is so crazy to set cars on fire for fun.

The Boston Fire Department reports the first fires, shortly before 8 a.m. behind 24 Pratt St., completely consumed two cars and damaged a third. As crews were dealing with that, they were alerted to the other fire, behind 33 Pratt St.

At least nine cars have now been torched since mid-August in the area tucked between the train tracks and the BU campus. Arson investigators are on the case; ask anybody in the Pratt/Ashford area who sees something to say something by calling 617-343-3324.