Arson and fire-related homicide—fire crimes—are inherently dangerous and destructive, with the potential for major costs in terms of property loss, injuries and fatalities. From 2012 to 2021, Canadian police services reported nearly 95,000 incidents of arson, including 2,243 victims of violent arson. Many of these occurred either in open areas (43%) or in private dwellings (38%). Additionally, over a similar period, from 2011 to 2020, there were 301 victims of a homicide where fire was involved, either as the primary cause of death or as an accessory.
Along with being highly dangerous and destructive, criminal fire setting is somewhat unique in that it can destroy evidence, making investigating and solving these crimes more difficult. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of fire-related crimes—where they tend to occur and who is at risk—is important for law enforcement, fire investigators and the public to better ensure public safety.
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