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' 10 Stou/fiille Sunâ€"Tribune I Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 Arson ignites fear from commumty ' York police report 153 arson incidents so far this year . BY TOE FANTAUZZI Staff Writer Despite fears in at least one neighbourhood, there is no evidence an arsonist targeted a Newmarket home last week, York Central’s fire chief said. Late last week, rumours began circulating by eâ€"mail someone had intentionally set a Nov. 11 fire at a home on Yorkshire Drive, northeast of Yonge Street and Davis Drive. Central York firefighters respond- ed at about 2:30 am. and found the garage of a single-detached home on fire, with smoke rising from the garage and the second level of the house, Fire Chief John Molyneaux said. Two people inside the home escaped after smoke alarms trig- gered. No one was injured. “We are investigating, but we have nothing that would lead us to conclude it was arson," he said. As of Tuesday afternoon, the cause of the fire is still undeterâ€" mined. Experts agree, people start fires for a number of reasons, however. in York Region, arson reports have declined. York Regional Police statistics show there have been 153 arson incidents so far this year, down from 170 in 2007. So why do people intentionally start fires? It’s no easy answer, experts agree. The Criminal Code of Canada recognizes a number of forms of arson, including that which con- tains a disregard for human life, causes damage to property and for fraudulent purposes. According to York police arson investigator Det.â€"Const. Scott McVeigh, motives for arson in this region are most often due to: 0 Financial (such as insurance claims or eliminating payments for a major item); - Revenge; 0 Business reasons and/ or debt collection (to send a message). There are also people who “just enjoy fire", Det.-Const. McVeigh said. Those (cases) become very dif- ficult to prove because investigators have nothing to go on; no motive, he added. And, to the old idea a firebug calls 911 after lighting a fire or hangs around in the crowd to watch the response to his destructive handi- work? "There is some truth to that bill I can’t say that is true in each and every case," I)et.â€"(Ionst. McVeigh said. li‘ire may also be set by some one who believes it will destroy eviâ€" dence, he added. However, after a blaze, York police work with local fire depart ments and the Ontario Iiire Mar shal's office. The scene is pulled apart and. often. evidence can be found. one way or another, to link someone to the crime, l)et.4(3onst. McVeigh said. A little more than one year ago, police charged a Ilti-year old Markham man with Ill counts of arson in connection with a slate of fires in 'l‘homhill over a period of about six months. The fires involved the ignition of grass clippings and yard waste left at the end of driveways and appeared to be intentionally set, police said. About oneâ€"quarter of children between Grades 7 and 12 will report having played with fire in the past year, said Dr. Sherri MacKay, a psy- chologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who runs The Arson Prevention Program for Chil- dren, or TAPPâ€"C. TAPPâ€"C is a program for youth who have played with fire or set fires, including playing with matches or lighters, burning paper or garbage," performing lighter tricks, intention- ally setting fire to buildings or makâ€" ing bombs. Fewer than 13 per cent, however, will report repeatedly playing with fire. “The more frequent your fire involvement, the more concern we would have about behaviour and mental health difficulties," said Dr. MacKay, associate professor in psy- chiatry affiliated with the University of'I‘oronto. Young repeat fireâ€"setters may also display other behaviours, includ- ing aggression, vandalism, trouble 7pm to 1 1pm - at school and substance abuse, she SAVE AII ADDITIONAL said. % Not surprisingly, young people OFF move ‘0 fire setting or fire Play for our ALREADY iiEnucED Dunn PRICES on b > f ‘. ' l d' th E23338;in°ay‘i%i°i‘:v铧e‘én‘2%ghi c fills #5? EST I g 1 1c; Fl2 A L rd or Sears MaEeEar§® to respect fire. Youth may see adults light ciga- When you use your Sears Starts Friday at 10am unless otherwise stated. while quantities last HOT our 1 'm is your: 1r _ 1101 “1le .â€" Shop all evening for great savings In family fashions, major appliance. Plus mystery specials through the evening you do not want to miss. g /‘ J Women’s Nevadao Corduroy pants Jessica Cord $1999 rettes from stoves or toasters, she “WM‘ Jackets said. 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The majority of young people do not set fires to cause huge damage. she noted. @633??? $999 DUR ALREADY REDUCED OUTLET PRICES OII Neavada° Long 9 What it comes down to is that it Sleeve Top is not an interest in fire that makes or Save 300/0 an arsonist â€"- it is that interest com- "en’s When you use your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard®. 0n approved credit. bined with a lack of respect for fire, Nevada” Vest anti-social characteristics and pos- sibly substance abuse, she said. As far as insurance goes, arson is not a rating variable, which means it is not used to determine an insur- ance premium, according to Al Ma ',mana er of marketin at the liisuggnce BuggeauofCanadaig “The decision on whether to When you use your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard®. continue to insure the property -‘ - ~~ ~ "w‘t' â€" ~»~*»~ “fwr an arson wnuld depend 0” Sears Card otters exclude catalogue purchases. Sears® is a registered Trademark of Sears. licensed for use in Canada MasterCarddD is a registered Trademark in me likelihood ()f it hamwmng MasterCard international Incorporated Personal shopping only Savings otters do not INCIUOG Pan‘s 8r Servrce All merchandise sold "as is" and all sales Mini Nn again ,_ h 0 81m exchanges. returns or adjustments on prevrously purchased merchandise; sayings otters cannot be combined No dealers. we reserve the TlQlll to limit quantities l‘rii es ‘ v ~ ‘ _' . ' do not include home delivery Otters exclude vendor conSignment merchandise Although we strive tor accuracy, unintentional errors may occur We reserve the until it l ll (‘ (l ec l SH) ll rega rd l 11;; correct any error 'Reg '. 'Was' and “Sears selling price' refer to the Sears Catalogue or Retail store price current at time at merchandise. receipt whether to insure a particular ' property, and how much pre~ $999 $988 $499 Selected Video to 51 433 Games 8. 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