I went to Independence yesterday, and noticed that the little house across the highway from Kirks' Mini-Mart has burned to the ground. Judy, when did that happen? I know that our engines went out very late one night last week, but it didn't seem like they were gone very long. Anybody?
Not sure of my dates. It was during the coldest part of the night. I heard the siren go off around 1 or 2 am and for a time
I thought I was dreaming. Except it never quit. Went on for over 10 minutes and I never heard the engines or the trucks on road.
My head is in the window and I can usually hear Bruce go out. He is firechief. I listened for a few and next morning someone said it
had burned down.
They were taking it apart. Piece by piece. But it seems someone thought they would be cute and help. Don't know who was up and out at that time of night. I know the chill index had to be below zero. Don't know the type of brain that would be out.
I know they were going to burn it. But, can't believe the fire department would call a drill. They did show up and let it burn.
So, apparently nobody lived in the house? At least, I hope not. Or someone seeking shelter went in there to try and stay warm and lit the place up. Just a thought.
I wouldn't think so Janet. It was being dismantled. The windows were already out and I think the plans were to burn it.
After all the hazardous stuff was taken out and then bury it.
It had stood empty for almost 5 or 6 months. I think our arson bug got an itch. I wonder who was up and out that late to call it in?
A passing motorist could have called 911. I makes one wonder what kind of a deranged mind can justify an arson.
I had just gone to bed when the fire bell went off. It was awhile before anyone got to it; so late and so cold. I suspect that they were back in town shortly because the structure was already gone, and there wasn't any danger to the surrounding buildings. Glad that nobody lost their home, that is always a worry especially in the bitter cold we had. Thanks for filling us in Judy! ;D
Quote from: Jo McDonald on January 16, 2010, 12:31:12 PM
A passing motorist could have called 911. I makes one wonder what kind of a deranged mind can justify an arson.
Just a thought...taxes. For example, Someone owns a house they don't live in. They have to pay taxes on the house. Taxes go up. Owner gets mad doesn't want to pay taxes burns house down. Justifiable arson.
Is it arson if you burn something you own? Just wondering.
It's arson if the owner burns it with the intent to collect insurance.
ditto, Janet. Just what I was going to say. Just watch "Law and Order" and we
all will get a law degree. NOT!
So if the owner burns it down not with the intent to collect insurance but to avoid taxes then its not arson?
I'm not there of course, but here its not arson if it's a derelict building and the owner got a permit to burn it. Sometimes it is given to us for drill purposes. That's harder to do now because of air quality issues.
I was there at that fire that night. The only utility on was electricity to the meter but not to the house. Windows and anything of any value had already been removed from the house, leaving just a shell. It's my understanding that the EPA do not want houses being burned, sometimes they could be for training purposes, but that was not the case for this one. It had asbestos siding still on the house, which you're not supposed to burn.
And Billy...refresh my memory if it was not this last summer that painted on the north side of that house, facing the highway, there was some rude comments on there about the tax appraisor.
MR.
Yeah there was. I don't remember exaxct wording but something to the effect of "stop cheating the people" or something like that. Can't say I blame them, I don't have much use for tax appraisers myself. In my opinion, if the owner did burn it down, its their house they should be able to do whatever they want with it.
As long as there is no insurance there is no crime. There would be liability if firefighters are dispatched.
So if the people who live next door to me want to damage my house as they burn their own down that's OK? NOT! >:(
If they set fire to your house while burning theirs, would that be arson?
Wiki has this defenition; Arson
The crime of maliciously, voluntarily, and willfully setting fire to the building, buildings, or other property of another or of burning one's own property for an improper purpose, as to collect insurance.
Now, the next question might be, what is another improper purpose?
Another would be trying to hide a crime...homicide.It doesn't work.
It is not arson if you burn it to keep from paying taxes.
Here is what the criminal code for Kansas says about arson:
21-3718
Chapter 21.--CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
PART II.--PROHIBITED CONDUCT
Article 37.--CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
21-3718. Arson. (a) Arson is: (1) Knowingly, by means of fire or explosive:
(A) Damaging any building or property which is a dwelling in which another person has any interest without the consent of such other person;
(B) damaging any building or property which is a dwelling with intent to injure or defraud an insurer or lienholder;
(C) damaging any building or property which is not a dwelling in which another person has any interest without the consent of such other person; or
(D) damaging any building or property which is not a dwelling with intent to injure or defraud an insurer or lienholder;
(2) accidentally, by means of fire or explosive as a result of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of K.S.A. 65-4159, and amendments thereto, damaging any building or property which is a dwelling; or
(3) accidentally, by means of fire or explosive as a result of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of K.S.A. 65-4159, and amendments thereto, damaging any building or property which is not a dwelling.
(b) (1) Arson, as described in subsection (a)(1)(A) or (a)(1)(B), is a severity level 6, person felony.
(2) Arson, as described in subsection (a)(1)(C), (a)(1)(D) or (a)(3), is a severity level 7, nonperson felony.
(3) Arson, as described in subsection (a)(2), is a severity level 7, person felony.
History: L. 1969, ch. 180, § 21-3718; L. 1992, ch. 239, § 117; L. 1993, ch. 291, § 76; L. 1994, ch. 291, § 29; L. 2000, ch. 181, § 6; L. 2002, ch. 155, § 1; July 1.
Now it gives you the penalties, but I'm not going to explain the levels and stuff. Anyway, there it is.