University police are investigating two small fires they believe were intentionally set in the first and twelfth-floor hallways in the Mather House tower early Thursday morning

An alarm at about 2:30 a.m. sent residents of the 19 story building into the predawn could for about ten minutes Authorities said the fires caused little damage.

"The biggest impact is that in a place where people live any kind of a set fire can be very dangerous. "Harvard University Police Deputy chief Jack W. Morse said yesterday.

The Mather alarm comes after a recent rash of fires deliberately set at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a string of false fire alarms in Harvard Houses.

Officers responding to the alarm reported that when they arrived they found posters in the hallways burning. The fires were quickly ex-tinguished while residents waited outside.

"It was freezing," said fifth-floor resident Michael Hong '85, who had been asleep when the alarm sounded. "I grabbed a robe and didn't have time to change. The sound [of he alarm] was too much for my ears.

Morse on Friday said the police were put suing leads and treating the case "very seriously."

Other incidents reported by Harvard police during the period from January 27 to February 2 included.

Larcenies

Jacket Missing: A pale pink down jacket valued at $160, was reported taken from the Blodgett Pool locker room floor between 4 and 5 p.m. last Saturday.

Wallets Taken: A wallet containing $3.50 in cash a driver's license and personal papers was reported taken from the pocket of a pair of pants in an unlocked locker at the Quad athletic faculty between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Tuesday

Battery Gone: A. G. M. battery valued at $50 was reported taken from a Buick parked on the second level of the Soldiers Field garage between 5 p.m. Last Saturday and 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The larcenies were among five of more than $100 and six of less than $100 reported to University Police during the week ending Thursday.

Vandalism

Car Damaged: A woman told police that when she returned to her car parked in the lot at 38 Oxford St at around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday she found that the rear of the vehicle had been damaged. She said she parked the car there at about 8 a.m.

Dour Broken: Police said someone damaged the front door at Greenough #23 some time between last Friday and Tuesday Police said the lock was separated from the door and the wood surrounding it chipped and splintered.

Window Broken: A police officer reported a 12 by 6-inch window in the office of the superintendent of Eliot House broken Repairs were estimated at $15.