5% of All Texas Vehicle Fires Are Arson, Fire Marshal Says

In Texas, approximately five percent of all vehicle fires are intentionally set, which accounts for $3.5 million in vehicle fire losses, according the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office. “Vehicle arson is not a victimless crime,” said Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy. “It’s not just higher premiums that we all have to pay, but in a car fire the responding firefighters are exposed to a dangerous combination of fuel and fire. People can and do get hurt.” The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program indicates that over the last 10 years vehicle arsons accounted for 26.5 percent of all arson cases annually. Setting unwanted vehicles on fire for insurance payouts is among the most common insurance crimes.