Fire Investigations

Report An Arson

To report a suspected arson in Fairfield, please call 513-867-5379.

Rewards are often paid for information leading to the identification and successful prosecution of persons perpetrating the crime of arson. These awards are paid through the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee. Information can lead to rewards up to $5,000.

More Information

Please visit the related websites we provided below to learn more about fire investigations and arson:

The Fire Investigations Unit, is charged with the responsibility to investigate the origin, cause and circumstances of undetermined, incendiary, accidental, and natural causes along with all fires where serious injury or death occur.

The Fire Investigations Unit searches for the origin and cause of a fire, and if it is determined incendiary, they find out who and why the fire was started. The unit then collaborates with the Fairfield Police Department in the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Members of the Fairfield Fire Department Investigations Unit attend many training courses that are offered in the United States through colleges, universities, state fire schools, insurance companies and local arson/fire task forces.

Along with the local police departments, Fairfield investigators work closely with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Butler County Fire Investigation Team, and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

About Arson

In 2011 an estimated 26,500 fires were intentionally set (not including any allocation of fires with unknown cause). It resulted in 190 civilian deaths, and $601,000,000 in property damage. These statistics did not account for vehicle fires. There were an estimated 14,000 intentionally set vehicle fires causing $88,000,000 in damages. The statistics for arson, collected separately from other property crimes because of varying degrees of reporting among law enforcement agencies, showed an overall jump of 3.2% during the first 6 months of 2012. Three of the four regions of the country reported increases-up 11% in the Midwest, 6.4% in the West, and 5.7% in the Northeast. The South saw a 5.6% in arson offenses. These are currently the only available statistics at the time of reporting and updating our website.

Arson causes loss of jobs and income.
Arson causes loss of business taxes.
Arson causes increased insurance premiums.
Arson forces tax increases to pay for additional fire and police protection and other community services.
Arson results in loss of personal property that may be irreplaceable.
Arson also puts the lives, unnecessarily, of firefighters in danger.

What You Can Do

At first glance it appears that the arson problem only affects "someone else" or that it is the sole responsibility of the fire and police departments. In reality, the person most directly affected is you, the average property owner or renter.

Here are three suggestions on how you or your group can influence the reduction of arson in your community:

Protect your property: Don’t make your property an easy target for amateur arsonists. Keep potential fire sites (refuse areas, storage locations, stairwells, porches, etc.) clear of easily ignitable materials.
Properly secure all doors and windows of your home, especially garage and basement areas, to eliminate easy access for a potential arsonist. Business owners can increase security arrangements presently used by locking and barring doors and windows, beefing up fire warning and alarm systems, contracting fire security guard service or requesting increased police patrols during night hours.
Cooperate with investigators: If a fire of questionable origin should occur in your neighborhood, cooperate fully with the investigating police, fire and insurance company representatives. Provide them with any information you may have seen or heard about suspicious persons, activities, explosions, color of smoke or condition at the site of the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department.
Become informed and involved: Share this information with others in your neighborhood. A representative of your group or neighborhood can attend public safety or city council meetings to determine how well the police and fire departments are organized to meet the local arson challenge.