Apr 29, 2008 9:10 pm US/Eastern
Increased Foreclosures Spark Arson Concerns
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ) ―
Fire crews are on edge in New Bedford after two fires were intentionally set in vacant buildings this week, raising concerns about abandoned structures in the area.
Fire investigators ruled a fire on North Front Street Monday as arson. The blaze continued to smolder Tuesday morning after the structure collapsed. A fire on Nye Street later Monday also appears to have been intentionally set, officials said.
There has been an increase in abandoned buildings due to foreclosure in New Bedford. The town isn't the only one experiencing intentionally set fires in empty buildings. Boston and Brockton have reported similar incidents in recent months.
In January, Lawrence fire crews were on heightened alert when there was a string of fires in buildings left abandoned due to the melting housing market.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lawrence was the arson capitol of New England because so many buildings were left abandoned.
Arson fires increased throughout Massachusetts in the early 1990s when there was a major recession.
City and fire crews are hoping to prevent a similar fate during the current hard times residents and towns are facing.
New Bedford is pulling together a housing task force to help board up some of the foreclosed homes, with the hope of preventing loiterers and drug dealers from targeting them.
Police are also keeping an eye out for squatters -- people who live in the empty home after residents and landlords have long gone.
In New Bedford, a $5,000 reward is being offered for information in the arson cases, and officials say they want to raise that reward to $10,000.
The number of foreclosures in Massachusetts topped 2,800 in the first three months of this year. That's a 140 percent increase over the same time last year.
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