Detroit Records 95 Fires Over 3-Day Halloween Period
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says the city had 95 fires over a three-day period that included Halloween, about the same number as in 2011 and 2012.
Detroit has a notorious history of arson around Halloween, but Bing said the numbers lately are not much different from a typical day.
"The averages are about 35 to 45 fires a night and that's pretty much what we did for the last three nights. So, we think we've got control, we think we've got a handle on it. But at the same time, we should stop making this such a big issue, we need to get beyond this. It's not acceptable for people to go out and try to burn down the buildings," he said.
According to the Detroit Fire Department, there were 32 fires on Oct. 29, 36 fires on Oct. 30 and 27 fires on Oct. 31.
Bing gave credit to public safety employees, other city workers and residents who volunteered to patrol their neighborhoods. He said it also helps that thousands of buildings have been demolished.
At least two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
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