Fire Question

13 years ago

Has anyone else noticed a serious increase in fires lately? house fires, business fires? Seems every couple of days now, something in our area is burning--usually to the ground. It's hard not to wonder if there's a link to the poor economy. Especially when (just 2 examples):

Diner--had been doing very, very poorly. Major bills unpaid. Middle of the night fire burned it to the ground--the alarms just happened to be turned off?

House burned explosively when the owner just happened to be working outside. There's nothing left.

Could just be a weird coincidence--and it has been super, super hot and dry this summer. But you wonder if there are people out there who would rather make an insurance claim than let their home go into foreclosure???

It just seems, though, that I've never heard of so many really devastating fires happening so close together. Hope it's NOT because people are that desperate, but you never know.

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Comments (8)

nicole__
13 years ago
OK......so a person burns his house or business to the ground, let's say. He still owes the same amount on the mortage. The insurance company will pay for a rental house for you to stay in....within reason, but YOU still have to make the mortage......and the value of the land is NOT included in a claim. So while the place is being rebuilt you have no income from the business AND owe the mortage.

Sooooooooooooo...............I don't see how this gets anyone out of a failed business or house mortage?

Now "IF" you die, there's insurance that will pay off your mortage in the case of death.....
dotmom
13 years ago
As someone who has lost almost everything to a fire(both household and business) I can't imagine setting a fire intentionally, although I know it happens. Believe me, the fire inspectors are very thorough and they miss very few arson cases. But I do know what you mean Azzalea, there does seem to be more fires in the news.
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teresava
13 years ago
There seems to be an increase in severe fires here too. It's been extremely hot and dry here the past few months. I wouldn't put it past someone desperate to start a fire themselves.

One story 2 days ago...a single mom with 5 kids. She saved 3 by lowering them out the window but the other 2 and herself didn't make it. How tragic.

Another that had an unusual ending. Townhouse fire. The fire/police department had to check the adjoining neighbors to make sure there wasn't structural damage etc, so they entered neighbors house and literally sitting on the coffee table was kiddie porn pictures! The man living there had a part time job as a wrestling ref!!! Completely random that they were able to catch him!!
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
what they do is collect the insurance and pay off as much debt as they can, then sell the property...

it doesn't work as well these days with so many upside-down mortgages...or the ins co refuses to insure at "current cost", like they used to. for years our policy was like that until about 4 years ago..ummm think they knew then something was going to happen??
two25acres
13 years ago
Precisely what insurance companies are trying to avoid. If an insureds home burns to the ground and it cost 260k to rebuild and there's a mortgage of lets say 250k. The insured can opt to rebuild or pay off the mortgage etc. and walk away after selling the land. It's been happening alot lately, most insurance companies are now using a service that notifies them of potential vacant properties. Many insurance companies are also terminating mid term if they recieve notice of vacancy to avoid this. Be thankful they are, those losses occuring in your own area will affect your premiums. You want a company that aggressively reduces their risk.
azzalea
Original Author
13 years ago
Nicole--yes, I know what you're saying, but I wonder if every 'man on the street' realizes that.

Dottie--don't disagree with that either. It's not a way I'd ever chose to try to resolve issues, but there are a lot of idiots out there, add in desparation...

Terrasava--what an interesting outcome. Very odd. You just never know.

Susan and 2.5Acres--Exactly what I was thinking the diner folks might be considering. Get the money, sell and run. On the other hand, a diner a few blocks away from them had a legitimate kitchen fire a few years back (but didn't burn to the ground)-they remodelled and reopened and are doing a fabulous business now. This recent fire owner has been grumbling about how well the other diner is doing while they're struggling. So maybe they thought a little fire would get them the money to upgrade, and things got out of hand? (she's also been heard to say she wanted to 'shoot' the other owner--not a good place to be in right now).
workoutlady
13 years ago
Haven't noticed a thing here. The fire department has not been more busy than usual. I know this becuase my DH is on the fire department here (it's volunteer) and while he is not able to take any calls right now, the pager has not been going off more than normal. If anything it's slow here(firewise). We haven't had a dry year this year so that probably accounts for the slowness.
monica_pa Grieves
13 years ago
The opposite here. Our county provides a site on-line where we can see all fire, EMT and police calls - in real time.

I've noticed over the summer that the fire call section is often empty. And I just looked at it, and there are only 2 calls there - person stuck in a elevator and assistance at a traffic call.

We live just down the road from a fire house, and haven't heard them go down the road in days.