Case 98
The Pillow Pyro
Case 98
The Pillow Pyro
California is ranked as the US state most prone to wildfire, with over two million households at extreme risk at any time. The state has seen some of the most devastating fires in American history. This risk is highest in the states Central and Southern regions, where the brush that surrounds the Los Angeles countryside contains tough, leathery leaves and volatile natural oils that are highly flammable.
Combine this with a Mediterranean climate, dry landscape, drought-resistant vegetation, as well as the hot and strong Santa Ana winds blowing from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada desert, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.
Wildfires can spark from a variety of sources—from lightning to power lines—but these accidental causes are only responsible for a very low percentage of fires. The large majority are generated by people. Some result from unattended campfires, erratic burning of debris, or negligently discarded cigarettes. However, many more turn out to be deliberate acts of arson…
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
______
If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is and would like to get a transcript of the episode, please email us at contact@casefilepodcast.com
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Elsha McGill
Additional editing by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOK:
Fire Lover: A True Story – Joseph Wambaugh
VIDEO:
Season 9, Episode 21: Point of Origin – Forensic Files
ARTICLES:
Firefighters who start fires: a look at the phenomenon of ‘firefighter arson’ – Edmonton Journal
Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times
Manuscript Adds Fuel to the Fire in Murder Case – LA Times
Firefighters searched the rubble of a gutted hardware store… – UPI
Burning Ambition – People
History in flames – Glendale News-Press
Arson: The Scorched-Earth Obsession – Newsweek
Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times
‘Nobody heard my side of the story’ – Glendale News-Press
Twisted Firestarter – Real Crime
DOCUMENTS:
Report on the Firefighter Arson Problem: Context, Considerations, and Best Practices
Special Report: Firefighter Arson
OTHER:
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Charlotte’s Web – 10% OFF your order when you enter promo code ‘casefile’ at checkout
ZipRecruiter – Post your jobs for FREE
Robinhood – Get a free stock from companies like Apple, Ford and Sprint when you sign up
California is ranked as the US state most prone to wildfire, with over two million households at extreme risk at any time. The state has seen some of the most devastating fires in American history. This risk is highest in the states Central and Southern regions, where the brush that surrounds the Los Angeles countryside contains tough, leathery leaves and volatile natural oils that are highly flammable. Combine this with a Mediterranean climate, dry landscape, drought-resistant vegetation, as well as the hot and strong Santa Ana winds blowing from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada desert, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.
Wildfires can spark from a variety of sources—from lightning to power lines—but these accidental causes are only responsible for a very low percentage of fires. The large majority are generated by people. Some result from unattended campfires, erratic burning of debris, or negligently discarded cigarettes. However, many more turn out to be deliberate acts of arson…
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
______
If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is and would like to get a transcript of the episode, please email us at contact@casefilepodcast.com
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Elsha McGill
Additional editing by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOK:
Fire Lover: A True Story – Joseph Wambaugh
VIDEO:
Season 9, Episode 21: Point of Origin – Forensic Files
ARTICLES:
Firefighters who start fires: a look at the phenomenon of ‘firefighter arson’ – Edmonton Journal
Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times
Manuscript Adds Fuel to the Fire in Murder Case – LA Times
Firefighters searched the rubble of a gutted hardware store… – UPI
Burning Ambition – People
History in flames – Glendale News-Press
Arson: The Scorched-Earth Obsession – Newsweek
Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times
‘Nobody heard my side of the story’ – Glendale News-Press
Twisted Firestarter – Real Crime
DOCUMENTS:
Report on the Firefighter Arson Problem: Context, Considerations, and Best Practices
Special Report: Firefighter Arson
OTHER:
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Charlotte’s Web – 10% OFF your order when you enter promo code ‘casefile’ at checkout
ZipRecruiter – Post your jobs for FREE
Robinhood – Get a free stock from companies like Apple, Ford and Sprint when you sign up
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