Two devastating fires tore through Lewiston within a week of each other in late April and early May, devastating residents of the apartment buildings that were burned.

Nearly 200 people were displaced by the fires.

What’s even more shocking, a few days later, four people were charged with arson in connection to the fires, including two 12-year-old boys.

Apparently, young people starting fires isn’t as uncommon as people may think.

In an recent Journal Tribune article, reporter Tammy Wells took a look at the occurrences in Maine and what’s being done to prevent it.

Maine Fire Marshal Joe Thomas told the Journal that there were 2,801 fires set by juveniles in Maine between 2000 and 2010. Of those fires, there were 16 fatalities, 129 people hurt and more than $43 million in property was lost.

Here in York County, along with other areas around the state, the York County Juvenile Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative is working with families and youth on the issue. The collaborative was started in 1997 and aims to reach children who display curiosity about fire, engage in fire “play,” or are troubled or in crisis.

The program is under the auspices of the York County Emergency Management Agency, and is made up of representatives of fire departments, law enforcement, mental health professionals and those working in the juvenile justice system.

Young people can be referred to the program by professionals or their parents. Director Pam Tourangeau said parents typically call when they become concerned their child is experimenting with fire. Sometimes they find their child hiding lighters or matches or lighting things on fire outside the home.

Tourangeau says the collaborative’s goal is to educate, not to “scare” children from setting fires.

She said following a risk assessment, a child may attend a six-hour fire safety course, which includes the child making a safety plan for the home, information on the long-term effects of burns and injuries, decision-making and discussion of arson laws. Children may also be referred to a mental health professional for counseling.

It’s important for parents and community members to look for warning signs of a child in distress or a child who just need further education about the danger of fire, and contact the York County Juvenile Fire Safety and Intervention Collaborative when necessary. This collaborative is set up to support young people and help prevent fires like those in Lewiston from ever happening. The work of the collaborative is important in educating young people and preventing loss of life.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at [email protected].