Devil’s Night – Page 2 – Motor City Muckraker

Dousing the Devil: Record low fires break out during pre-Halloween tradition

Devil’s Night recorded the fewest number of fires since at least the 1970s.

For the first time since the 1970s, Detroit is on pace to record fewer than 90 fires during the three-day Devil’s Night period.

We’ll provide up-to-date details and a map of every fire through Halloween.

Although the number of fires have leveled off during Devil’s Night over the past five years, this year poses more significant challenges.

If the past four years are any indication, Detroit is likely to see more than 90 fires during the three-day Devil’s Night period beginning Thursday.

So many fires broke out that Detroit ran out of trucks to respond, leaving the city dangerously unprotected.

For four decades, Devils’ Night has been the most destructive period for fires in Detroit. Not anymore.

The number of fires on Devils’ Night has plummeted since its peak in 1984.

Nearly 40 fires – most of them suspected arsons – broke out in houses, apartments and garages between Thursday and Friday morning in Detroit.

We are blogging details of every fire during Angels’ Night tonight to gauge the Detroit’s response and the severity of the arsons.