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Detroit Fire Dept. tries to hold the line against arson

A fire on Detroit's east side takes over an abandoned building on Dec. 29, 2014. Arson costs more than $200 million annually in property damage in Detroit, scarring neighborhoods for years and driving up the cost of living in the city, a Detroit News investigation has found.
A fire on Detroit's east side takes over an abandoned building on Dec. 29, 2014. Arson costs more than $200 million annually in property damage in Detroit, scarring neighborhoods for years and driving up the cost of living in the city, a Detroit News investigation has found.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. Joseph Crandall, arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, examines a suspicious fire on Westphalia Street in Detroit on Dec. 4, 2014. Detroit last year averaged 11 suspicious building fires per day. Historically, no other city in the United States averages more except New York, a city 12 times the size of Detroit.
Lt. Joseph Crandall, arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, examines a suspicious fire on Westphalia Street in Detroit on Dec. 4, 2014. Detroit last year averaged 11 suspicious building fires per day. Historically, no other city in the United States averages more except New York, a city 12 times the size of Detroit.
Max Ortiz / The Detroit News
“Nothing burns like Detroit,” said Detective Lt. Joe Crandall.
“Nothing burns like Detroit,” said Detective Lt. Joe Crandall.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
A fire on Detroit's east side takes over an abandoned building on Dec. 29, 2014. More than 1,000 blocks in Detroit had two or more suspicious fires in 2010-13.
A fire on Detroit's east side takes over an abandoned building on Dec. 29, 2014. More than 1,000 blocks in Detroit had two or more suspicious fires in 2010-13.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
The Detroit Fire Department tackles a fire in an abandoned workshop on Detroit's southwest side on Jan. 1, 2015. Arson has spared few corners of Detroit, making homeowner insurance rates more than twice the state average and leaving taxpayers to clean up the mess.
The Detroit Fire Department tackles a fire in an abandoned workshop on Detroit's southwest side on Jan. 1, 2015. Arson has spared few corners of Detroit, making homeowner insurance rates more than twice the state average and leaving taxpayers to clean up the mess.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Detroit firefighters search a house in Detroit's east side on Dec. 12, 2014. In all, property damage from arson cost the city and Wayne County about $248 million in 2013, the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee estimated.
Detroit firefighters search a house in Detroit's east side on Dec. 12, 2014. In all, property damage from arson cost the city and Wayne County about $248 million in 2013, the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee estimated.
Elizabeth Conley,The Detroit News
This bungalow on Beaverland and Fenkell caught fire in December. It had no stove, furnace or refrigerator. Fire officials found a gas can near the front door.
This bungalow on Beaverland and Fenkell caught fire in December. It had no stove, furnace or refrigerator. Fire officials found a gas can near the front door.
Joel Kurth, The Detroit News
Andrew Schwedler and Joe Cron, two detectives in the arson squad, dig for clues in a burned home on Beaverland near Fenkel in Detroit.
Andrew Schwedler and Joe Cron, two detectives in the arson squad, dig for clues in a burned home on Beaverland near Fenkel in Detroit.
Joel Kurth, The Detroit News
Lt. Joe Cron speaks to one of three occupants who fled a burning home on Beaverland near Fenkell on Dec. 3.
Lt. Joe Cron speaks to one of three occupants who fled a burning home on Beaverland near Fenkell on Dec. 3.
Joel Kurth, The Detroit News
“Arson is like a cancer,” said Louisa Papalas, the only Wayne County assistant prosecutor assigned to handle arson cases. “Once one home is set on fire, if it’s left to stand, it spreads from one house to the next. Pretty soon, there are one to two viable homes on the block.”
“Arson is like a cancer,” said Louisa Papalas, the only Wayne County assistant prosecutor assigned to handle arson cases. “Once one home is set on fire, if it’s left to stand, it spreads from one house to the next. Pretty soon, there are one to two viable homes on the block.”
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. J. Cron, arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, places a reward sign at the scene of a suspected arson fire on Roselawn in Detroit.
Lt. J. Cron, arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, places a reward sign at the scene of a suspected arson fire on Roselawn in Detroit.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Charred items rest curb-side at the scene of a suspected arson fire on Roselawn in Detroit on Dec. 4, 2014. About half of all fires in the city are considered suspicious. The squad’s staff has enough manpower to investigate only about a third of the cases.
Charred items rest curb-side at the scene of a suspected arson fire on Roselawn in Detroit on Dec. 4, 2014. About half of all fires in the city are considered suspicious. The squad’s staff has enough manpower to investigate only about a third of the cases.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The skeleton of a home that was burned in a suspicious fire in 2014 still stands. Last year, the city demolished at least 247 homes that had caught fire since 2010, a cost of about $3.5 million.
The skeleton of a home that was burned in a suspicious fire in 2014 still stands. Last year, the city demolished at least 247 homes that had caught fire since 2010, a cost of about $3.5 million.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
The site of another suspicious fire in 2014.
The site of another suspicious fire in 2014.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Couches and other debris remain behind a burnt-out apartment building.
Couches and other debris remain behind a burnt-out apartment building.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Burnt photos lie on the ground near the scene of a fire.
Burnt photos lie on the ground near the scene of a fire.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
A young neighbor rides her bike by a burnt-out home across from her house on Detroit's east side. Insurance fraud remains a top motive in suspicious fires, according to Detroit Fire Department data. Most torched homes, 52 percent, were owner occupied, while 23 percent were vacant.
A young neighbor rides her bike by a burnt-out home across from her house on Detroit's east side. Insurance fraud remains a top motive in suspicious fires, according to Detroit Fire Department data. Most torched homes, 52 percent, were owner occupied, while 23 percent were vacant.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
"I learned a long time ago you can’t apply rational thinking to figure out why someone puts something on fire. That will just drive you crazy,” Lt. Joe Crandall said. “There’s no age limit, there’s nothing too small to give some people a reason.”
"I learned a long time ago you can’t apply rational thinking to figure out why someone puts something on fire. That will just drive you crazy,” Lt. Joe Crandall said. “There’s no age limit, there’s nothing too small to give some people a reason.”
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Arson investigator Lt. Joseph Crandall walks outside the house on Westphalia in Detroit.
Arson investigator Lt. Joseph Crandall walks outside the house on Westphalia in Detroit.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Crandall looks at the scene of the suspicious fire on Westphalia. Nationwide fire data support Detroit’s reputation among firehouses as the arson capital of the United States.
Crandall looks at the scene of the suspicious fire on Westphalia. Nationwide fire data support Detroit’s reputation among firehouses as the arson capital of the United States.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
A dog found at the fire scene cowers atop an ottoman as investigators continue looking for evidence.
A dog found at the fire scene cowers atop an ottoman as investigators continue looking for evidence.
Max Ortiz
The charred remains of bedroom furniture rest outside the home on Westphalia Street.
The charred remains of bedroom furniture rest outside the home on Westphalia Street.
Max Ortiz
Lt. Joseph Crandall examines the back of a burned property on Westphalia in Detroit.
Lt. Joseph Crandall examines the back of a burned property on Westphalia in Detroit.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Detroit Arson Chief Charles Simms keeps track of arsons and convictions on a white-board wall. One year into the job, Simms’ office still looks new. He’s been busy trying to sell a simple message: Arson isn’t acceptable anymore in Detroit.
Detroit Arson Chief Charles Simms keeps track of arsons and convictions on a white-board wall. One year into the job, Simms’ office still looks new. He’s been busy trying to sell a simple message: Arson isn’t acceptable anymore in Detroit.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. Dennis Richardson, left, and fellow arson investigator James Hill-Harris plan their day.
Lt. Dennis Richardson, left, and fellow arson investigator James Hill-Harris plan their day.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The arson tip line at the arson squad office.
The arson tip line at the arson squad office.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. J. Cron, right, an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and fellow investigator James Hill-Harris plan their day at their office in Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
Lt. J. Cron, right, an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and fellow investigator James Hill-Harris plan their day at their office in Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Arson detective Joe Crandall takes a photo inside a garbage bin near a house where a suspicious fire occurred.
Arson detective Joe Crandall takes a photo inside a garbage bin near a house where a suspicious fire occurred.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. Omar Davidson, arson investigator/K-9 handler, works with ATF-trained arson dog Colby.
Lt. Omar Davidson, arson investigator/K-9 handler, works with ATF-trained arson dog Colby.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Lt. Omar Davidson works with Colby. Arson dogs are trained to sniff out minute traces of accelerants that may have been used to start a fire.
Lt. Omar Davidson works with Colby. Arson dogs are trained to sniff out minute traces of accelerants that may have been used to start a fire.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Arson squad and police officers talk to family members near a home where a body was found at a fire on Dec. 12, 2014.
Arson squad and police officers talk to family members near a home where a body was found at a fire on Dec. 12, 2014.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Detective James Hill-Harris talks to family members near a home where a body was found after a fire.
Detective James Hill-Harris talks to family members near a home where a body was found after a fire.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Arson chief Charles Simms is not happy as he listens while a judge postpones sentencing for a convicted arsonist, who got a new lawyer just before sentencing. According to Simms, this is a known tactic for delay.
Arson chief Charles Simms is not happy as he listens while a judge postpones sentencing for a convicted arsonist, who got a new lawyer just before sentencing. According to Simms, this is a known tactic for delay.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Lt. James Hill-Harris waits as DNA is collected from an arson suspect at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Dec. 5, 2014.
Lt. James Hill-Harris waits as DNA is collected from an arson suspect at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on Dec. 5, 2014.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Assistant prosecutor Louisa Papals, who deals specifically with arson cases, listens to a judge as he delays sentencing for a convicted arsonist.
Assistant prosecutor Louisa Papals, who deals specifically with arson cases, listens to a judge as he delays sentencing for a convicted arsonist.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Assistant prosecutor Louisa Papalas talks to victims of an arson after the man convicted of the crime had his sentencing delayed. Three victims were suppose to give statements, but will not be able to return because of their home and work situations. "Every time I come to court my granddaughter and I have to relive that day," said one victim.
Assistant prosecutor Louisa Papalas talks to victims of an arson after the man convicted of the crime had his sentencing delayed. Three victims were suppose to give statements, but will not be able to return because of their home and work situations. "Every time I come to court my granddaughter and I have to relive that day," said one victim.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News