A University of Massachusetts student who police say set a Dumpster on fire on Hobart Lane early on the morning of Jan. 22 was taken into custody.

The arrest of Travis W. Consolo, 21, of Hanson was the first made by police after a number of suspicious Dumpster fires that have plagued the neighborhood throughout the fall, said Detective David Foster.

Consolo was arrested on a charge of burning personal property, Foster said.

Foster said an officer was in the vicinity of Hobart Lane when three men were seen loitering near the Dumpster, which is owned by Waste Management. When approached by the officer, two of the men fled. A short time later a popping sound came from the Dumpster and its contents burst into flames.

Police called firefighters to the scene, then determined that Consolo was responsible for setting the fire and took him into custody, according to Foster.

Two plastic posters alerting people who use the Dumpster to call police if they see suspicious behavior or potential arson activity both melted in the blaze, Foster said.

He said firefighters have put out numerous Dumpster fires on Hobart Lane since September, but no suspects had been identified.

Since the beginning of the fall semester, police have assisted firefighters with at least six Dumpster fires, including early-morning fires on Hobart Lane on Sept. 4, Sept. 5, Sept. 18, Oct. 8 and Dec. 4, and one fire outside Hillel House early on Dec. 11.