Blossoms after the Blaze

The idyllic air of this blip is cruelly deceptive: The wall behind the dogwood flowers is one of the few undamaged parts of a house that was set on fire during the early hours of 27 December 2009, leaving it a total loss.

The house is two doors down from ours in Northampton, Massachusetts. That night, between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m. fifteen fires were started within two kilometers of us. Four houses and at least a half-dozen cars burned seriously, killing two persons five minutes away. The fires received national attention.

A 26-year old man was arrested a few weeks later. He confessed to the fatal fire; so far 47 indictments have been lodged against him, with 28 individuals named as injured parties.

It's a relief that the arsonist is being held without bail, but the pain and loss from his actions will remain a long time.