Suspicious fire wrecks cancer survivor's wreath

MATTAPAN, Mass. -- A holiday grinch set fire to a Mattapan woman's beloved holiday wreath, leaving residents in her apartment building worried that an arsonist may be on the loose.

Jacquie Anderson’s floor mat and front door also became engulfed in flames Thursday around 7 p.m. She used a cup of water to put out the fire.

The fire department and police responded to the scene. Authorities believe the fire may have been started by an arsonist targeting Christmas decorations.

The wreath held special meaning for Anderson, which she made 35 years ago when she was pregnant with her second daughter. She has hung the wreath on her door each holiday season, including the two years she has lived at 415 River Street in Mattapan.

"I believe in Christmas. We're going to make another and hang it back on that door," said Anderson. "If I can battle cancer three times and defeat it, then I can defeat whoever did this. I mean that will all my heart and soul."

Still, the incident has prompted many of Anderson's neighbors to take down their holiday decorations.

Anderson has no idea who might have started the fire and has never faced a similar situation with any of her ornaments in the past.

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