| Student-set school fires are a growing problem in Phoenix, Arizona area schools. In 1999, 12 students were referred to the Phoenix Fire Department Youth Firesetter Intervention Program for setting school fires. In 2005, that number dramatically increased to 99 school firesetter referrals, even though the total number of firesetter referrals increased by only 3%. Both the increase in the number of school fire referrals and a lack of previous research were the impetus for this exploratory case study. This study explored the motives of 17 school firesetter informants referred to the Phoenix Fire Department Youth Firesetter Intervention Program for setting school fires.;In-depth interviews were conducted to gain insight into the motives of these 17 school firesetters. Firesetter informants and their parent(s) or guardian(s) were identified through purposeful sampling. Interviews with the informant's parent(s) or guardian(s) were also conducted to verify the information obtained from the school firesetters. School, Youth Firesetter and Juvenile Court Referral forms were used to gain the perspective of the school administrators. Validity and reliability were addressed through two bracketing interviews, data triangulation, member-checking, and established techniques of qualitative data analysis.;The research revealed that students set school fires for various reasons, including, a desire to be entertained, boredom, external and internal peer pressure, to watch fire burn, anger at a teacher or parent, because they were cold, out of impulsivity or for no reason at all. Not one of the school firesetters reported that his or her school fire was based on a dislike of school or a desire to burn down the school building. |
