{"id":8514,"date":"2014-05-12T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T14:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=8514"},"modified":"2014-05-12T01:07:06","modified_gmt":"2014-05-12T06:07:06","slug":"tennessee-state-fire-marshal-says-vehicle-arson-is-a-combustible-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2014\/05\/12\/tennessee-state-fire-marshal-says-vehicle-arson-is-a-combustible-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee State Fire Marshal says Vehicle Arson is a Combustible Crime"},"content":{"rendered":"

Help burn out arson during Arson Awareness Week<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"TennesseeNashville, TN <\/strong>– Every year, the U.S. Fire Administration and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office raises awareness about arson and its impact on our communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cArson destroys more than buildings. It can devastate a community through the decline of the neighborhood with increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue and a decrease in property values,\u201d State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak said. \u201cThe Tennessee State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office is dedicated to bringing attention to the problem and working to make Tennessee safer.\u201d\u201cArson continues to be a growing problem in Tennessee,\u201d Bomb and Arson Section Director Dewey Woody said. \u201cIf you intentionally set fire to someone\u2019s property, know that you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

Combatting arson is a key priority for fire departments and law enforcement agencies across Tennessee. In 2013, the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System reported that arson was responsible for $7,711,453 in damage, seven deaths and 18 injuries, including three firefighter injuries.<\/p>\n

The 2014 Arson Awareness Week theme is \u201cVehicle Arson – A Combustible Crime.\u201d Vehicular arson is becoming more prevalent across the country. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that vehicle arson results in an average of 32 civilian deaths, 67 civilian injuries, and $176 million in direct property damage. From 2008-2010, 14 percent of all fires were vehicle fires. Of these fires, 7 percent were intentionally set.<\/p>\n

Residents can support the efforts of state and local officials by taking the following steps to prevent vehicle arson:<\/p>\n