ALFRED — Sometimes, youngsters are fascinated with fire, and sometimes, they start fires. Here in Maine, there are more incidences of fire with a juvenile component than one might think.
Two 12-year-olds who were charged by police with starting fires that burned two apartment buildings in Lewiston last month made the headlines statewide. And a few days ago, two young people in Acton ”“ along with an adult ”“ were charged with burglary and arson in connection with break-ins at a couple of homes. They’ve been charged with crimes, but haven’t been convicted, as the court process in these cases is just beginning.
According to Maine Fire Marshal Joe Thomas, there were 2,801 fires set by juveniles in Maine between 2000 and 2010. Of that total, there were 16 fatalities, 129 people were hurt and more than $43 million in property was lost.
In York County and elsewhere across Maine, there’s an effort to reduce those types of statistics along with the pain and loss to everyone involved.
Since 1997, the York County Juvenile Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative has been working with families when youngsters display curiosity about fire, are engaged in fire “play,” or are troubled or in crisis.
“We’re really about fire safety. Intervention is about fire safety and keeping families and kids safe,” said Mike Fraser, chairman of the York County Juvenile Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative.
A program of the county’s emergency management agency, the collaborative is made up of representatives of fire departments in most of the county’s 29 municipalities, plus law enforcement personnel, mental health professionals and those working in the juvenile justice system. Many involved with those agencies refer young people to the program, but parents can as well. Collaborative Director Pam Tourangeau said most times, parents call when they’ve become very concerned that their child is experimenting with fire ”“ parents have found a stash of lighters or matches, or they’ve found their kids lighting things on fire outside the home.
According to Tourangeau and others, there are several categories of fire setters: Those fascinated by fire and often called “curiosity” fire setters, usually in the 5- to 8-year-old group; young people who are troubled or in crisis; those with a history of trouble; and lastly, severely disturbed young people ”“ a category Tourangeau calls rare.
While some young people intentionally set fires, others aren’t trying to be destructive, but instead make poor, impulsive decisions, said Fraser. He and Tourangeau pointed out there are some things families can do to help with those children whose curiosity is piqued by fire ”“ like buying a small lock box with a key in which to store lighters, matches and grill starters. Just because matches or lighters have been stored high up in a cupboard doesn’t mean kids can’t get them, they noted.
While curiosity or poor decision-making are common factors, there are also the fires set as the only means a child can think of in a cry for help. Thomas spoke of one instance where the only way a 5-year-old could think of to stop repeated sexual abuse he’d been subject to was to set his bed on fire.
A risk assessment, said Tourangeau, helps intervenors get details of an incident, such as whether it is the young person’s first such act. The assessment can determine the level of intervention, which can include a six-hour fire safety course, or other measures, like a referral to a mental health professional for counseling.
The class includes the child making a safety plan for the home, information on the long-term effects of burns and injuries, decision-making, discussion of arson laws and more. Tourangeau has a child pick a room in their home, list everything in it and asks the child to estimate the cost of replacement.
“Some parents ask us to ”˜scare’ the kids ”“ we don’t do that,” she said.
Tourangeau said some young people take the course voluntarily, while others are mandated to do so by the courts or by others in the juvenile justice system.
The collaborative has worked with 35-50 young people in the last 12 months, she estimated ”“ but more could be helped. Tourangeau, Fraser and others are trying to get the word out to families about the collaborative’s services. The group has established a Facebook page: York County Juvenile Fire Safety & Intervention Collaborative.
Raymond Parent, a former fire chief in Biddeford and Sanford, said the York County collaborative was borne out of a tragedy in Biddeford when a child died in a fire set by another child who had a history of fire setting. Later, Sanford was successful in obtaining a grant to further the cause. Eventually, York County government picked up the program under the helm of the emergency management agency.
Thomas said there’s now a statewide Maine Juvenile Fire Safety Collaborative. He called the York County group the “poster child,” for a successful program.
“This collaborative effort is critical to our dealing with the significant issue of juvenile fire behavior in Maine,” said Thomas of the efforts across the state.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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