Texas Volunteer Firefighter Arrested for Arson

Recently, a volunteer firefighter was arrested in Texas for starting several grass fires.  Newswest9.com reports several devices used to start the fires were located during the investigation.  The article did not expand further on the details of the investigation or the incendiary device construction.  While not much more can be learned, at this time, from this specific investigation, we can learn from other cases involving firefighters and arson.  While not commonly used, research tells us incendiary devices are more likely to be found in wildland arson than in urban arson.  Additionally, firefighter arsonists are more likely to use incendiary devices.  The following is an excerpt from Arson Investigation in the Wildland by Ed Nordskog and Joe Konefal:

“While incendiary devices are quite rare in all arson attacks, they are more common in wildland arson cases than in most other arson scenarios (with the exception of extremist arsons). It should be noted that an additional category of arson attacks, where devices can be found, is any arson attack involving a firefighter arsonist. So, mathematically speaking, any wildland arson event involving a firefighter arsonist is more likely to involve the use of an incendiary device. An in-depth study of this subject determined this staggering and sad fact: If an incendiary device is used during a wildland arson series, then there is more than a 40% chance that the offender is related to the fire service in some manner.” Source: Incendiary Devices-Investigation and Analysis by Ed Nordskog.