Vacant Building Fires on Rise in Bakersfield, CA

Nearly a week after the arson investigation into the fire at the Toucan Building at 19th and N streets on Labor Day and Friday's arrest of a suspect, the Bakersfield Fire Department reported there were more vacant building fires so far this year than were ignited in the entirety of last year.

BFD investigated 189 vacant building fires from Jan. 1 to Sept. 3 this year. That number includes the fire on Labor Day. In the entirety of 2023, there were 129 vacant building fires, according to a fire department news release.

BFD Arson Division Battalion Chief Bryce Patterson said a multitude of reasons may be at play, including the increase in vacant buildings and also more vegetation growth due to a wet winter. But overall, Patterson said, there has been a significant increase in fires investigated by the BFD.

There have been 509 fires as of the beginning of the ninth month of the year, while last year there were 681 fires, according to the BFD. Patterson said most fires investigated by the arson division were caused by unhoused individuals.

Of those 509 fires, 287 were intentionally set, which is a significant decrease from last year’s 428 in the entire year. However, Patterson said this number may be "slightly misleading" because of the number of undetermined fires.

Patterson explained that when the arson division investigates, the cause of fires is either intentional, accidental or undetermined. He said if there is not a specific suspect for an intentionally set fire, it may be classified as undetermined.

Patterson gave a theoretical example of a trash can fire that BFD would have to extinguish. He said if the firefighters do not know who started that fire, the cause may be undetermined.

For those who are arrested on suspicion of arson by BFD, the agency has a 100% conviction rate for the 46 arrests made in 2023. In 2024, there have been 32 arson arrests so far and while some cases are pending, Patterson said all of the concluded cases resulted in convictions.

To prevent arson, the Bakersfield Fire Department encourages the community to secure all vacant buildings, add lighting and install high-quality security cameras. BFD encourages property owners to know their neighbors, as well.

Community members can call 661-326-3737 or e-mail [email protected] regarding transient complaints. For any structure fires, call the Bakersfield Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit at 661-326-3911 or email [email protected].

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