Massive Fires Highlight Growing Trend

COLUMBUS, Ohio —A massive two-alarm industrial fire that is being investigated as a possible arson is highlighting a growing problem in Central Ohio.

The fire broke out Saturday night on Parsons Avenue and it’s adding to concerns over the increasing number of arsons in a certain part of Central Ohio.

Not only do the fires put residents in danger, but they put a major strain on local fire departments as well as cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, NBC 4‘s Marcus Thorpe reported.

When a fire breaks out, it can take 100 firefighters to battle it, which means that there are soft parts of the city that could have less than full staffing.

“It puts stress on everyone, from the alarm office placing firefighters here to here, from the north learning streets in the south,“ said Battalion Chief Doug Smith, of the Columbus Division of Fire.

A growing number of arsons on the city’s south side is costing the city a lot of money. Arson investigators have to work—with long overtime hours.

“That is when we need to be there collecting evidence, witness statements, start talking to people,“ Smith said.

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