Subprime Crisis and Arson

Vacant homes create a dangerous situation for firefighters and neighbors. Due to the mortgage and housing crisis, there are a record number of these vacant homes out there. When a foreclosed home sits empty, it has a tendency to catch fire.

According to James Quiggle at the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud,

"Home arsons follow foreclosure trends, with a lag".

Because the homes are not maintained and the fire burns longer before it's discovered, these fires are especially dangerous for firefighters. Firefighter injuries occur about twice as often in vacant structures.

For more information on foreclosed homes and arson, see Bloomberg.com.

Further reading:

• Subprime - Definition