Bob Wise: “I rise today at the Nation celebrates Fire Prevention Week to speak about a fire cause that affects every American no…”

“I rise today at the Nation celebrates Fire Prevention Week to speak about a fire cause that affects every American no matter where they live. I am referring to the act of arson. The United States Fire Administration's Annual Report to Congress states that in 1994 arson continued to be the second leading cause of fire deaths in residences and the leading cause of dollar loss from fire. Each year 1,000 people die from an estimated 332,000 arson fires. Direct property loss is in excess of $1.6 billion. Since 1984 arson fire deaths have increased 33 percent. Unfortunately, West Virginians were not spared from the scourge of arson. That same report indicated that 18.4 percent of all reported fires in West Virginia were caused by arson, with losses exceeding $1.6 million. As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I was proud to support the Arson Prevention Act of 1994 which passed the 103d Congress and was signed into law by President Clinton. This legislation enable States to conduct meaningful programs to combat arson. During Fire Prevention Week we must pause to consider how all of us, not just the fire service, can work toward making all Americans safer from the ravages of fire. The American people should be enraged about the tragic cost to lives and property from this preventable cause of fire.”