Guest guest Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 > In an attempt to justify remand custody and draconian police measures, a > hunting cabin, which burnt down as a result of an over heating stove, was > used against the animal protections as an accusation of arson I would not jump to conclusions about this allegation, either, which comes from a plainly partisan source aligned with the defense. On the one hand, hunters often carelessly burn down their own cabins, which are typically heated by wood. Woodstoves are notoriously dangerous, especially when not in continuous use and maintenance, & accidents most certainly happen. (I heated with wood for 13 years myself, and fought several chimney fires as a volunteer firefighter.) On the other, arsonists quite often try to disguise their crimes as routine accidents. Among the most common dodges are faking woodstove fires. Others include faking electrical fires and faking spontaneous combustion. (I also had occasion to participate in several arson investigations, including several cases that were believed to be accidents until the arsonists confessed, seeking lenient sentencing for other offenses. One of those cases involved multiple fatalities.) Normally people who heat with wood are aware of the hazards and avoid doing anything as obviously stupid and dangerous as pushing a woodstove against a wooden wall. Woodstove fires much more often result from relatively subtle and invisible problems, including clogged pipes and accumulations of creosote in chimneys. Accordingly, I recommend reserving judgement in this instance until further facts are known. If this involves a case that at first looked like an accident but now has been reopened, it would scarcely be unique. -- Merritt Clifton Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE P.O. Box 960 Clinton, WA 98236 Telephone: 360-579-2505 Fax: 360-579-2575 E-mail: anmlpepl Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org [ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide, founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations. We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year; for free sample, send address.] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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