Fire Department

In the United States, more than 700 lives are lost each year in arson-related fires. Although, fire officials often try to measure the cost of arson using statistics, such as lives lost or dollars lost, the actual cost involves several factors that are more difficult to measure (change in neighborhood, environment, etc.) Arson fires in a neighborhood can have a significant impact on property values of all structures in the area.

  • There were an estimated 418,000 intentional fires in the United States in 1999, down 7% from the previous year.
  • These fires resulted in 622 deaths (9% decline) and $2.7 billion in property damage (36% increase after adjusting for inflation).
  • For the eighth straight year, juvenile fire-setters accounted for at least half (50%) of those arrested for arson in 2001. These statistics do not include fires set by children too young to understand the consequences of their actions since these cases are not considered arson.
  • According to the FBI, nearly one-third of arrestees were children under the age of 15, and 5% were under the age of 10.
  • According to FBI statistics, only 16% of 2001 arson offenses were solved by arrest. Juvenile offenders accounted for 45% of these arrests. An estimated 2% of intentional fires led to convictions.
  • Intentional fires ranked first among the major causes in structure fire dollar loss between 1995 and 1999.

  • Crime concealment
    To conceal another crime such as murder, burglary, or vehicle theft.
  • Revenge or spite
    To get back at someone for a perceived injustice.
  • Monetary Gain
    Arson-for-Profit fires are set to burn a building, vehicle, or some other object in order to gain profit from the fire. The profit may come in several forms; from insurance coverage on the property, or from putting a competitor out of business.
  • Malicious Vandalism
    Fire set to someone’s property, just to destroy it. Malicious vandalism fires account for the largest percentage of arson fires. These fires are frequently set by juveniles.

  • Human Cost
    All arson fires are crimes against people, even if the intended target is a vacant building, trash or woods. These fires must be controlled and extinguished by firefighters, and therefore, human life is endangered whenever a fire is set. Certainly, a major blaze in an occupied apartment building is much more severe than a small fire set in a field. However, every year firefighters are killed or injured in responding to or combating small, open-air fires.
  • Direct Costs
    The value of the property destroyed by the fire; the cost of firefighting supplies and staff to control and extinguish the fire; the cost of insurance coverage on the property.
  • Indirect Costs
    The loss of tax revenue, since the property may be taken off the tax rolls; the welfare or unemployment costs of the workers put out of work, even if the building is rebuilt; the medical expenses of civilians and firefighters injured by the fire; the disability retirement costs of injured civilians and firefighters; increased insurance costs.

If we are to effectively address the arson problem in our communities, every citizen must participate in combating this vicious crime. This means understanding the impact arson has on the community and cooperating to prevent arson. Consult with local fire or police officials to determine the extent to which arson is a problem in your community or neighborhood. If a particular part of your community is plagued by arson, you should get involved before the problem spreads or becomes worse. Generate interest among your neighbors and friends. Start or participate in a community watch program. Report all suspicious activity to the local police department or fire department. Everyone needs to be involved in Arson Prevention.

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