Indianapolis seeing big jump in arson cases - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indianapolis seeing big jump in arson cases

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INDIANAPOLIS -

Fire officials in Indianapolis say the city's number of confirmed arsons is up nearly 25 percent this year.

Vacant houses have been a prime target of arsonists, with an inner-city neighborhood association leader blaming some of the fires on criminals looking for areas with many empty houses. Rick VanDyke tells The Indianapolis Star that the burning of vacant houses is a symptom of other problems.

City fire officials say investigators have confirmed 259 arsons so far this year, with about 200 more fires in which arson couldn't be proven.

Fire Capt. Rita Burris says that arrests have been made in 27 arson cases this year, up from 13 at the same time in 2011.

See WTHR's report on 2012 arson incidents.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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