Jamaica has seen an uptick in arson attacks, with victims of the criminal offence increasing by nearly 50 per cent in 2024 to the highest recorded in at least a decade.

According to data from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), there were 115 suspected or confirmed incidents of arson in 2024, a seven per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The majority of these fires involved residential properties, followed by commercial buildings including churches.

The parish of Westmoreland recorded the highest number of arson attacks, with 24 cases, followed by Kingston and St Andrew with 14, Portland with 12, St Elizabeth with 11, and Hanover with 10.

Similarly, statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Statistics and Information Management Unit showed that 2024 recorded the highest number of arson victims in at least 10 years, with 110 individuals affected, 62 males and 48 females. It represented a 49 per cent increase over 2023, when there were 74 victims.

The Kingston Central police division reported the highest number of victims at 23, followed by Clarendon with 15 and St Andrew North with 13.

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Commissioner, Stewart Beckford. JIS Photo.

Commissioner of the JFB, Stewart Beckford, told the Jamaica Observer that domestic disputes are behind many of the fires.

“One of the contributing factors that we believe sometimes drives these instances is domestic disputes, particularly in Westmoreland. People seem unwilling to sit down and talk things through. Instead, they quickly resort to drastic measures. These incidents often arise from relationships that have soured, where one partner chooses to take revenge by setting fire to a home,” Beckford explained.

Just last month, a St Ann man was charged with arson after he allegedly set fire to the home of another resident in his community with whom he was having an ongoing dispute.

Evan Whiter of Fort George was charged following a police investigation into the incident dating back to April 2024.

“Individuals involved in criminal activity may use fire to destroy evidence and hinder police investigations. They might shoot or stab someone, then set the premises alight. However, through collaborative investigations between ourselves and the police, we often uncover that the fire did not cause the death, but rather that the victim was murdered prior to the blaze,” Beckford further outlined.

He pointed out that mental illness also plays a role in some of the incidents.

“There are people in communities who suffer from mental illness and live with their families. If, for some reason, they stop taking their medication, they may begin to act out. In some cases, this includes setting fire to buildings or vehicles. We encourage families to keep a close watch on relatives with mental health challenges and to seek help from the police or public health authorities at the first sign of concerning behaviour. Early intervention can prevent these types of incidents,” he urged.

Despite the overall increase in 2024, there has been a slight decline in arson cases so far this year. Up to June, the JFB responded to 55 suspected or confirmed incidents of arson, representing a seven per cent reduction compared to the same period last year.

Commissioner Beckford said the JFB is working to expand its investigative capabilities to better respond to fire-related incidents.

“We’ve been working to strengthen our investigative capacity so we can carry out more thorough examinations of fire scenes. At the moment, we face some challenges in this area, which means we’re sometimes unable to definitively confirm arson. In such cases, we describe the cause as ‘suspected arson’. The police, whose capacity for investigation is greater than ours, often support us. That’s why we frequently depend on them for assistance,” Beckford said.

He is however encouraging members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully, noting that many arson cases stem from personal grievances that escalate into acts of revenge.