Youngstown leads in arsons - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown leads all American cities its size in the number of deliberately set fires.

A majority of fires in Youngstown are arsons, and the Fire Chief says two-thirds are vacant structures.

"But to have two at the same time, or sometimes three at the same time is not that rare here," said Youngstown Fire Chief John O'Neill, Jr.

Chief O'Neill says that also means that his personnel are exposed to more danger, more often.

"We also have an extraordinarily high number as far as how many fires each firefighter experiences, so we're on two to eight times more fires per person here," O'Neill said.

Studies show that the contributing factors for arsons include 6,000 vacant structures, gang and drug activity, squatters who move into vacant structures and juvenile crime activity.

A new study on ways to increase efficiency in city government shows that Youngstown has more firefighters that most cities its size; 138 currently, which equals 18.5 per 1,000 residents.

"Until you get control of and reduce the vacant structure fire problem, it's understandable why you have that staff," Chief O'Neill said.

Another cost factor is that two thirds of all firefighter injuries occur at vacant structures. "A compounded problem, that's workers comp. That's lost time, big money that's being wasted," O'Neill said.

The efficiency study says the city should aim on reducing the fire department by 20 personnel through attrition over five years.

To do that, the vacant structures and arsons must be addressed.