HOUSTON -- Another suspicious fire was started at a southwest Houston apartment complex on Friday.

This is the fourth Friday in a row that there has been a fire in the same area. The most recent fire was at the Azalea Place Apartments on Bissonnet Street near Mullins Street, and another fire was set there on Nov. 7.

Firefighters said that in the most recent case someone forcefully opened a locked window and put a burning newspaper inside an apartment. One of the residents burned his hands while trying to put the fire out.

"In that moment, I did what I could to save my family," Francisco Espinal said through a translator.

"My understanding is that it's gang-related," said Chris Pandofo of Ranger Protection Agency. "The problem that I have with that is that if people are bringing this stuff back to their house, back to where families and other people live and there's kids involved, it's really dangerous and it's really affecting a lot of people that don't really need to be affected."

Detectives said they suspect a serial arsonist is to blame for seven fires in the past month. There have also been four car fires that may be connected, investigators said.

Residents said they are worried that the arsonist will target their homes next. Most of the fires have been set between 4 and 6 a.m., causing many to lose sleep. Some said they no longer sleep on Thursday nights because they're so scared.

"Typically, these people (residents) don't have the resources and renter's insurance to have things replaced," said K.A. Dupont of the Houston Fire Department. "People lose everything, and possibly their lives."

Investigators said the arsonist may leave nearby because he has slipped away from each one without being seen.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.