A council member called for action by the FDNY Thursday as she testified before the City Council about the number of recent fires in Brooklyn.

Councilwoman Letitia James says 17 fires in a 10-block radius over the past six months is suspicious. She wants the FDNY to investigate much quicker. James feels the numbers show a definite need for concern. But Chief Fire Marshal Louis Garcia said during the first half of 2005 there were 16 fires, which is only one less than this year. In addition, City Council members say they are worried about the number of fire marshals, which during the 80s totaled more than 400. Now there are fewer than 100 for the entire city.

All of the fires took place in the area covered by Community Board 8. The fire department did determine three of the fires were arson. The department plans to investigate every fire that occurs in that area, whether it is deemed suspicious or not.