Arsonist in my neck of the woods

mpillow · #1 10/06/06, 07:26 AM

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.co.../3195249.shtml

Between our new puppy whining at night and the sirens whining and worrying if my barn will be next....its been a long week....

Our dog is loose all the time and we are sort of hidden which helps but you never know.

**fordson major** · #2 10/06/06, 07:41 AM

it's very unnerving isn't it?

been 15 fires less than 15 minutes away from us in the last 6 months. 3 years ago there was another bunch north of us, did not sleep well then or now . hope they catch yours and ours soon ! get out and about all times of day and night ,motion sensor lights where you can not see and keep an eye out for strange cars.

SherrieC · #3 10/06/06, 07:58 AM

We have the creeps in our area too. The next county over has a disgruntled fireman who burns Barns down all the time. Our quarter of our county has houses burnt all the time. He set a fire behind the house of a well known family while they were at a family members funeral. Unfourtunately for him it blew the other way away from the house and burnt through 100's of acres before the fire men got it out. I called my husband home from work that day after I got burnt with the hot ashes falling from the sky on top of our hill. If that would have caught our house and buildings were right in the path. it was ruled arson About 3 years before that my friend at church house was burnt down while we were in church on a Sun. it was ruled arson, then in 2000 while the kids were at school and we (parents) at work he torched our house. well maybe, there wasn't anything left of it, and they had no findings.
I constantly see homes around here burnt badly. Around the country corner from me there are houses on Each road the have been burnt, they can't all be innocent.

our house in 2000 I would insert the image but it doesn't work when I click the image icon for me : )

http://www.bryrpatch.com/images/hpw20.jpg

mpillow · #4 10/06/06, 08:17 AM

I'm leaving the barn door open to pasture.... The only thing that may not get out (I think they could if scared enough) is the pigs...

No power in the barn so it could only be deliberate...

SherrieC --thats scary!

I do have a new neighbor that's been burning brush between his rented house and my barn and had to say something as his sparks were landing in my pasture

You dont burn when the wind is blowing and it hasnt rained in a week

A 25 cent bullet for the arson if I catch him

I'll be speaking to my neighbor in front(shares our drive) to keep his eyes open...

I cant understand what would motivate someone to do this kind of thing..

motivated · #5 10/06/06, 10:29 AM

We were evacuated for 9 days a few years ago in the Old Fire here in so cal.
They still have not caught the person(s) involved with starting it.
I did learn a few things:
1. Keep the brush around all buildings down. Common sense -yet we had firewood stacked by the front door, flammable liquids in the garage etc. Also we did not have enough clearance around the house.
2. Make sure you have hoses connected around the perimeter of your home. We only had 1 on 1 side of the house and it could not reach everywhere.
3. Have a cash stash and "bug out bag" ready to go with clothes, meds, personal items. In a place where you can grab and go. Some like to keep it in the trunk of the car. Never let the gas tank go below 1/2 tank. The folks who did not have gas to get out had to wait in long lines. Since we had an elderly neighbor who did not drive we took her with us- 2 rooms for 9 nights, she did not have any money. $$
4. I have since put photos in a box in storage down the hill.
5. Most important have plan where you will meet if not everyone is at home, make sure everyone knows it.
6. Finally for your pets- keep cages in an area together and easy to get to. We had to dig ours out from the back of a packed shed which took 15 minutes of precious time.
Sorry this is long, but maybe will help you all think about your set up at home.
I hope they find that guy. They sell some kind of gel that you can spray on the building I dont know the name.

motivated

mpillow · #6 10/06/06, 04:35 PM

My barn is a good distance away w/ pond between...100yds but closer to the neighbors painting garage

The pigs would be the only trouble makers....the goats would come to the house entry and knock w/ hoofs on door

I totally get you about the brush....if Maine EVER dries out it could get ugly...we are heavily wooded and 5 cord of wood in woodshed not 20ft from the house.

We do keep suitcases packed for any type of emergency..as well as some of the other stuff listed....and a place to go if necessary---animals and all.