With four fires investigated as arson in December of last year, it could appear the crime is on the rise. But analyzing data provided by Chief Mike Moffitt of Poplar Bluff’s Fire Department tells a different story.
While the department cannot make the official determination, Moffitt keeps data on instances referred to the State Fire Marshal as potential arson. After a regional investigator examines the scene, the report is forwarded to the State Fire Marshall’s office in Jefferson City where a conclusion is made.
The most obvious outliers in the data are the years 2020 and 2021.
Moffitt explained, “2020 and 2021 numbers were unusually low due to COVID. Many people stayed home/worked from home.”
Disregarding these years, one can see the number of fires referred to the SFM hovering in the low 30s. Moffitt confirmed his department sees a largely consistent amount every year.
Unfortunately, the State Fire Marshal’s office was not willing to release data on how many of the referred cases were ultimately ruled arson. Moffitt, however, speculated the number would not significantly change year to year.
The fire department’s data does not show an appreciable increase for the last two years, with 2023 including one more referred case than 2022 for a total of 34.
Moffitt confirmed many of the alleged arson cases result from squatters in vacant houses using unconventional fuels such as hand sanitizer to cook or keep warm. He explained the fires quickly get out of control.
In the popular perception, arson conveys a meaning of intentional destruction.
According to Revised Statutes of Missouri 569.040, arson can also be defined as, “starting a fire or causing an explosion and thereby recklessly places such person in danger of death or serious physical injury.”
As shown in the law, a squatter setting an unconventional cooking or heating fire that spread out of control is still considered arson due to recklessness even if the individual never intended to destroy the house.
For the December 2023 arsons, two of the four were in vacant houses and one was in a dumpster. Overall, the available evidence shows a stabilized albeit consistent problem.