INDIANAPOLIS --

Fifteen fires have been set by children so far this year in Indianapolis, including eight within the last two weeks, a disturbing trend that firefighters aim to stop.

Firefighters aren't sure what sparked the uptick in fires started by children, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

"There could be an issue going on in their environment," said Indianapolis fire Lt. Tony Head. "It could be peer pressure. A lot of it has to do with curiosity."

In many cases the fires are small, contained to one room, but others cause great damage.

On New Year's Eve in 2008, a child who was playing with a lighter ignited a blaze that claimed the lives of two sisters.

"We've seen a lot of very tragic cases ranging from death to injuries," said Barbara Spurlin, coordinator of Indianapolis Firestop, a program set up to specifically counsel young fire starters. "Burn injuries are something that stay with a child forever."

In many cases, children start fires by using lighters left lying around the home. Some of them resemble toys, which could entice younger children.

"The child is going to think it's OK to play with these items because the parent's doing it," Head said.

There are warning signs parents can look for that would indicate a problem, such as scorch marks on drawers or floors, burned papers in the trash or lit candles.

"Inevitably, if a child plays with fire, misuses fire once, unless they get some appropriate education ... they will do it again," Spurlin said.

A Firestop program informational meeting will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Survive Alive house at 748 Massachusetts Ave.

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