Authorities continue to investigate a series of fires ignited in recent months outside several Bainbridge businesses.

According to a police press release, the latest incident occurred just after midnight on May 8 at the rear of a Winslow Way business.

Police said a broom was burned in a storage shed at the rear of Paper Products, Etc. on Winslow Way. The fire caused significant damage to the wooden wall of the business mall.

Cindy Black, the store’s manager, said the fire was discovered by an employee at nearby Westside Pizza, who smelled smoke.

He came out with a fire extinguisher to calm the blaze and called the fire department to put it out. Black said that without his vigilance, the damage could have been a lot worse.

“If this fire had happened an hour or so later, he wouldn’t have caught it,” Black said.

Police said other fires have occurred in dumpsters and storage sheds adjacent to businesses. Police are asking business owners to avoid storing any combustible items in storage sheds or areas near the businesses where they could potentially be accessed.

Black warned local business owners to stay on guard and look out for each other.

“We’re just kind of wanting to get the word out for merchants to keep an eye out,” Black said.

Police ask anyone who has information about the fires to contact the department at 842-5211.