About one in every four fires is intentionally set -- and almost half of these fires was set by youth under the age of 18.

Arson is a serious crime.  It injures and kills people, destroys properties, and destabilizes neighborhoods.

According to the FBI, juvenile firesetters accounted for roughly half (at least 49%) or more of those arrested for arson -- for the ninth straight year.

In 2003, 51% of those arrested were under 18, nearly one-third were under the age of 15, and 3% were under the age of 10.

Studies have shown that the majority of normal children possess an interest in fire and nearly half have engaged in fire-play.  For many young people, the attraction to fire leads to juvenile fire-play and firesetting -- fire-starting activity that fire investigators determine to be short of arson.  This behavior may be a precursor for the crime of arson.

Click here to get more information on Juvenile Firesetting.