PITTSBURGH -- The ninth suspicious fire in just a couple of weeks was reported in Pittsburgh's Sheraden neighborhood early Monday morning, and now residents are taking action to stop it.

On Monday, about a dozen residents went door-to-door handing out fliers and inviting their neighbors to attend a clean-up and block-watch event on Saturday.

City Councilwoman Theresa Smith is urging residents to take an active role in cleaning up their community by eliminating targets.

Most of the fires have been started in trash piles near vacant properties.

"I want people to know we do care about this community, and we're trying to take a proactive role," said Smith.

The fire Monday along Merwyn Avenue has a lot of similarities to a string of eight other suspected arsons in the neighborhood. Investigators said the fires have happened after midnight.

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SLIDESHOW: Arson-Torched House Demolished In Sheraden

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Residents in Sheraden go to bed each night wondering if they'll wake up to another fire and worry they could be the next victims.

“If I lose everything, what's going to happen? I'm very afraid,” said resident Chris Griffin.

The home damaged on Monday was under renovation. It was vacant but the fire jumped next door, forcing a family of five out.

“So far, no one has gotten hurt, but it’s just a matter of time,” said chief Darryl Jones of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire.

Jones wouldn’t give Channel 11 the details on specific clues, but he said detectives do have leads in the string of apparent arsons.

“I don’t want to comment on what we’re finding,” said Jones.

Jones is urging residents to clear their properties and keep an eye on abandoned homes.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is for the people who are in the neighborhood every day to notice differences and be aware of what's going on,” said Jones.

Pittsburgh recently hired demolition crews to take down 16 homes. Many of the homes were damaged by fire.

Saturday's Clean-Up and Block Watch Day will begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of Merwyn and Minton.

All residents are encouraged to attend.