THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606230087
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LOS ANGELES TIMES
LENGTH: 60 lines
The apparent surge in arson-related church fires during the past 1 1/2 years stands in stark contrast to the trend of the previous 15 years, insurance authorities say.
In 1980 there were 1,420 incendiary or suspicious fires involving churches and related property, compared with 520 such fires recorded in 1994, the latest figures available. That is the lowest level in 15 years, according to the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit research group based in Quincy, Mass.
It is too early to say whether the highly publicized recent series of blazes represents a reversal in the downward trend.
``There's no way to know if it's a setback,'' said association spokeswoman Julie Reynolds. ``Our statistics stop at the end of 1994.''
As of Friday, law enforcement authorities reported more than 100 arson-caused or suspicious fires in the past 18 months, most of them in the Southeast.
``If we continue with the trend we're seeing this year, which is . . . almost daily reporting of suspicious fires, then, yes, there would definitely be an increase,'' Steve Goldstein, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, said Friday in New York. ``It would be an upsurge in an otherwise favorable (downward) trend.'' The institute is a trade group representing the property casualty industry.
One thing is known: Churches face a far greater risk of being destroyed by arsonists than residential or commercial buildings.
Churches are not a major part of the $2 billion annual arson problem in the United States, accounting for less than 1 percent of 500,000 reported incendiary and suspicious fires.
However, looking at the category of churches alone, arson accounts for more than one of every four reported church property fires, and two-fifths of the reported property damage in those fires, the National Fire Protection Association said. The association's damage estimates for the 520 church fires in 1994 came to $16 million.
The relatively low sum of $16 million points to a serious problem, according to Goldstein. Most churches, he said, are underinsured.
Churches are easy targets, officials said. Very often they are in isolated areas, especially those in rural regions. They are often vacant except on weekends, and few have sophisticated security or fire alarm or automatic sprinkler systems.
Moreover, the architectural design of churches with vaulted ceilings and large open areas as well as the fact that many are older wooden structures makes them easier to burn. Prominent buildings with distinctive architectural features like bell towers and steeples also make inviting targets.
Goldstein said installing sprinkler systems can pay for themselves in saved property and possibly even lives. Installation of bright outdoor lighting can deter would-be arsonists, Reynolds added.
While much attention has been focused on racial motivations in the current wave of church fires, the National Fire Protection Association said there is no typical church arsonist. Fires have been set to conceal burglaries. Juveniles have started fires to get even for church school punishments, and adults impaired by chronic alcohol abuse have set fires. by CNB