09/01/2026
TO THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON: WE NEED YOU.
Over the last four months, our community has experienced approximately 15 structural fires believed to be related to arson.
Think about that for a moment.
Fifteen times, someone has intentionally put a building in danger of burning. Fifteen times, firefighters have been called to run toward a fire that someone else may have intentionally started. Fifteen times, families, homes, and lives have been put at risk.
And the next fire could be different.
The next fire could have someone inside.
The next fire could take a life.
The next fire could take one of ours.
The Washington Fire Department, Washington Police Department, and Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are working relentlessly to find those responsible and put an end to this.
But the truth is, we cannot do it alone.
Arson investigations are incredibly difficult. Fire destroys evidence. Things that could have helped investigators determine exactly what happened can be gone in a matter of minutes.
That is where YOU come in.
If you have security cameras, check them. Increase the detection range and sensitivity if possible. Make sure your cameras are capturing activity around your property—not just what happens at your front door.
If you see a vehicle that doesn’t belong.
If you see someone acting suspiciously.
If you notice something that doesn’t feel right.
SAY SOMETHING.
You may think, “It’s probably nothing.”
You may think, “Someone else will report it.”
Don’t.
That one phone call. That one video. That one license plate. That one detail you thought wasn’t important could be the piece of information that helps investigators catch the person responsible.
Please do not confront anyone or put yourself in danger. Observe, document what you safely can, and report it.
These fires don’t just affect the people whose homes or buildings burn.
They affect all of us.
They put our firefighters in danger. They put police officers in danger. They put EMS crews in danger. They put our neighbors, our children, and our entire community in danger.
Someone has decided that setting fires in our community is acceptable.
We need to show them that Washington will not stand for it. We need every citizen paying attention. We need every camera working. We need every suspicious detail reported. And most importantly, we need to look out for one another.
We want to thank the many agencies who have stood beside us throughout this ongoing situation:
Washington Police Department
Daviess County Sheriff’s Department
Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office
Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department
Vincennes City Fire Department
Vincennes Township Fire Department
Daviess County EMA
DCH EMS
Daviess County Central Dispatch
City of Washington Utilities
To every person who has answered a call, investigated a fire, provided medical care, gathered evidence, dispatched crews, assisted with resources, or simply supported us:
Thank you.
And to the citizens of Washington: Please don’t wait until someone gets hurt. If you see something, SAY SOMETHING. Because the next alarm could be someone’s home. The next call could be someone’s family. And the next firefighter through that door could be one of ours.
Let’s put an end to this—TOGETHER.
If you have a tip you can contact Daviesss County Central Dispatch at (812) 254-1060
OR
If you have a tip you can contact The Indiana Department of Homeland Security Arson Hotline at 1-800-382-4628. Also, a reminder that the IDHS is offering a $5,000 reward!
- Washington Fire Department
