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As St. Mary’s Parish rose early this month, figuratively at least, from the ashes of an arson attack, there was talk of `forgiveness’ and a general sense of a return to normalcy. But authorities stress that the million-dollar crime remains unsolved and they aren’t giving up, according to Jake Wark, from the State Fire Marshal's Office
“Investigators from Franklin and State police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office are still working this case, and we continue to urge anyone with information on the fire to share it with the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229,” he explained via email. Arson Watch offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information that solves, prevents, or detects arson crimes, and ATF has offered to match any reward through Arson Watch.
Digging into Arson
Arson is the leading cause of fires in the United States. It is also the second leading cause of deaths and injuries. Here are some statistics on arson in the United States:
Number of offenses: In 2023, there were 34,209 arson offenses in the US.
Property damage: In 2023, the average damage caused by arson was $24,320 per offense.
Arson `clearance rate’: In 2023, 26.6% of arson offenses were cleared by arrest or other means.
Property types: In 2023, 12,463 arson offenses were against structures, 4,730 were against single-occupancy residential properties, and 2,423 were against other residential properties.
Targets: Vacant and abandoned buildings are common targets for arsonists.
Outdoor fires: 50% of arson fires occur outdoors.
Fire types: "Available Combustibles" is the most common incendiary fire subtype.
Residential fires: Residential properties are the most targeted property type.
The most common motive for arson is revenge, but other motives include excitement, vandalism, and profit.
Hard to Prosecute
Above, firefighters and parishoners mingle during firefighting efforts.
In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for arson, or "burning," is six years from the date of the crime, as outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 277, Section 63. However, if the arson is considered to be a hate crime, the statute of limitations is slightly longer.
However, according to Arson in the United States, a report produced by FEMA in 1997, “A serious problem in countering the incidence of arson fires has been the reluctance of many local district attorneys to prosecute arson cases. Even the best investigation, the most thoroughly documented case file, and the best physical and circumstantial evidence go for naught if the local prosecutor is disinterested or unequipped to take on an arson case. The crux of the problem is that while physical evidence at the scene can directly prove incendiarism, the evidence linking the crime to the suspect is usually largely circumstantial. Thus, arson has been tagged “the most difficult crime to prove”. While some prosecutors would argue the point, this label has nevertheless become attached to the crime of arson, and it discourages prosecutors.”
“We understand that people’s circumstances may have changed since last year, and someone who was unwilling to speak up then may be ready to do so now,” explained Wark. They can rest assured that all calls are confidential, he stressed. “Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, but a house of worship is a home away from home for many community members and they deserve the closure that comes through accountability for an action like this,” he added.
