Arson numbers spike in 2012 - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Experts say there's a clear connection between vacant homes and criminal activity and one of those crimes is arson.

The Indianapolis Fire Department is seeing a huge spike in the number of fire investigations in 2012. The increased numbers are compared to those in 2011.

There have been 75 more fire investigations this year compared to last year, and officials tell Eyewitness News that most are at vacant homes. They're averaging 4 runs a day over the past two weeks and again, just for possibly intentionally set fire.

A weekend fire in Fountain Square at the corner of Orange and Olive Streets forced firefighters to retreat out the building just before it collapsed.

The smoke from the blaze could be seen billowing from all around the downtown area. Officials say fires like the one in Fountain Square are a drain on city resources.

Most of these suspicious fires or arsons are happening in the early morning hours between 1 and 2 a.m.

In the case of the suspicious fire in Fountain Square, no firefighters were injured and nearby homes were saved.

Here are some numbers: 460 runs have been assigned to IFD/IMPD Arson Unit so far in 2012. The unit has a high clearance rate of 23 percent. In 2012 there have been 37 arson arrests.

While vacant and abandoned homes and lots are a magnet for crime, minor improvements could reduce criminal activity.

Prevention could be as simple as mowing the grass or making sure an abandoned home is securely boarded up. If a building is secured it's less difficult to get inside to start a fire. But, the biggest way to prevent many neighborhood crimes is to get vacant homes inhabited again.