AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Fire Department has introduced the newest member of their team – and he has four legs.
Meet K-9 special investigator Phoenix, a 2-year-old yellow lab from Florida who Akron fire officials describe as “an accelerant detection” dog.
“This new four-legged member of the Akron Fire Department has a nose up on arsonists and uses those skills to sniff out the causes of fires,” the Akron Fire Department says.
Phoenix joins the team with Investigator Cotrufo.
Fire officials say arson dogs play a crucial role in determining the cause of many fires.
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 280,000 intentional fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year,” according to a press release from the Akron Fire Department.
These statistics include 420 civilian deaths, 1,360 civilian injuries and $1.3 billion in direct property damage.
“The actual number of arson fires and the amount of property damage is much higher, as arson is an underreported act,” according to the Akron Fire Department.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated Akron article on May 1, 2023.
