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Woman's car fire might be work of serial arsonist

Posted at 6:16 PM, Feb 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-15 22:18:10-05
A valley woman is opening up to 13 Action News after she woke up to her car engulfed in flames near Wyoming Avenue and Nellis Boulevard early Wednesday morning.
 
"When something like that happens you feel vulnerable, you feel violated," said Michelle Yates.
 
The incident happened around 1 a.m. right outside of Yates' home.
 
"That's the windshield," she said.
 
There's little left except shattered glass and charred debris inside the vehicle.
 
"It's toast," she said.
 
Yates may not be the only victim. Fire officials told her on scene this is potentially the work of a serial arsonist.
 
13 Action News reached out to Clark County Fire officials early Wednesday. They are researching potentially related incidents.
 
Yates said the loss of her car also equals the loss of opportunity.
 
"How am I going to get to school?" she said.
 
Yates is a new lab tech. Next week, she was to start her on-site externship. Now, she said she'll have to delay that due to lack of transportation.
 
Although this is a setback, Yates is used to challenges.
 
"My sobriety date is May 18, of 2014," she said.
 
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Yates recover.