We don't get a lot of this type. This one is more severe. Bakersfield Fire Capt. The most recent incident, in which the suspect most likely held a burning object next to a fire detector until the sprinkler system was activated, caused water damage to about 2,500 books. Libraries are accessible, they're vulnerable, they're frequented by a lot of people.
Experts say adults start fires for profit or personal gain, or sometimes to cover other crimes.
Juveniles start fires for kicks, out of curiosity or for purposes of intimidation. Older juvenile arsonists are sometimes charged as adults. We see a lot of single-parent families, a lot of cases where kids don't have a dad, don't know who dad is. They already know what fire does, so it's being used as a weapon or as excitement. Adolescents who are using fire as a weapon are criminal and need to be dealt with in the criminal justice system.