“Arson Awareness Week” is Focusing on Protecting Houses of Worship

(Undated) — The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during “Arson Awareness Week.” This year’s theme is “Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson.” According to the United States Fire Administration, each year from 2020 to 2022, an estimated average of thirteen hundred fires in places of worship were reported to fire departments in the U.S. These fires resulted in an estimated annual average of $74.6 million in property loss. The leading cause of fires in places of worship was cooking at around 33%, but intentional actions accounted for an additional 15%. Arson Awareness Week runs through Saturday.