The Lima News (Ohio) reports that the current economic downtown coupled with the national housing market and mortgage crisis have led to many more people intentionally setting home ablaze to collect insurance money. Similarly, high gasoline prices have led to a rise in intentional vehicle fires. Investigators are monitoring this trend, though say it is too soon to tell what proportions it will reach.

Experts told Lima News that the potential for arson increases any time the economy slows down. Jim Quiggle, spokesman for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, told Lima News, "Warning flares of a potential spike in arsons by desperate homeowners are popping up around the country. Whether they add up to a full-blown national trend is unclear. Investigators are on high alert because traditionally insurance fraud does increase when the economy becomes troubled. You're seeing suspicious fires involving homes in foreclosure popping up in pockets around the country, far more so than in past years."

The Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal claims that in Ohio, arson fires reached 20-year highs the last two years. In 2007, more than 8,000 arson cases were responsible for more than $151 million in losses, 204 injuries and 69 deaths. Among firefighters, there were 433 injuries and two deaths.