Arson Down in Pine Bluff
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: February 28, 2012
Jefferson County authorities have been searching for serial arsonists suspected of setting fire to dozens of homes in Pine Bluff for years.
Investigators still don't have a suspect but say the number of fires have dropped significantly.
Bonit Morgan and her family have lived in Pine Bluff for over 20 years. In the past few, they've dealt with the dangers of living across the street from abandoned homes.
"It was a nuisance. People were breaking into them and breaking glass out of them," said Morgan.
They left her neighborhood open and more susceptible to arsonists targeting vacant, seemingly forgotten lots.
"One night we came in from out of town and the first house that was there was burning," she added.
In 2010 Lt. Harold Clark with Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services showed us just how hard the city had been hit.
"Anytime there is an arson fire it damages neighborhoods, puts our firefighters at risk and our citizens at risk."
That year, investigators say arsonists set 63 vacant homes on fire and in 201, they set 38 fires.
"Arson has been down here lately and we're very proud of that," said Lt. Clark.
Lt. Clark says while they've noticed a 40 percent decrease, they haven't made any arrests. He credits community involvement.
"We want to thank everyone for being aware and making phone calls and looking out because we can't solve this by ourselves, " he said.
With the lots next to her clear and fewer homes catching fire, Morgan is hoping to spark something else in her neighborhood, a yard beautification trend.
"Once you take on a project, it's like everyone gets that fever and everyone starts working and cleaning up their property and it makes the neighborhood actually look better."
Investigators still don't have a suspect but say the number of fires have dropped significantly.
Bonit Morgan and her family have lived in Pine Bluff for over 20 years. In the past few, they've dealt with the dangers of living across the street from abandoned homes.
"It was a nuisance. People were breaking into them and breaking glass out of them," said Morgan.
They left her neighborhood open and more susceptible to arsonists targeting vacant, seemingly forgotten lots.
"One night we came in from out of town and the first house that was there was burning," she added.
In 2010 Lt. Harold Clark with Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services showed us just how hard the city had been hit.
"Anytime there is an arson fire it damages neighborhoods, puts our firefighters at risk and our citizens at risk."
That year, investigators say arsonists set 63 vacant homes on fire and in 201, they set 38 fires.
"Arson has been down here lately and we're very proud of that," said Lt. Clark.
Lt. Clark says while they've noticed a 40 percent decrease, they haven't made any arrests. He credits community involvement.
"We want to thank everyone for being aware and making phone calls and looking out because we can't solve this by ourselves, " he said.
With the lots next to her clear and fewer homes catching fire, Morgan is hoping to spark something else in her neighborhood, a yard beautification trend.
"Once you take on a project, it's like everyone gets that fever and everyone starts working and cleaning up their property and it makes the neighborhood actually look better."
