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Toronto Police 11 Division has formed an arson task force, after seeing 18 fires since 2007 set within its boundaries - 10 of them since October last year.

The creation of the task force comes on the heels of a Nov. 19 blaze that gutted a Humbercrest Boulevard garage and spread to the attic of a nearby house causing an estimated $125,000 damage.

There were a rash of fires that night, police said, one that caused more than $3,000 damage to a Honda Civic parked on Magwood Court. Parked vehicles and bags filled with yard waste and leaves were burned. No arrests have been made, according to Det. Judy Nosworthy, one of five officers on the task force. It is in the process of interviewing those who have been charged within a 10-kilometre radius, who have arson in their background, Nosworthy said, adding there is a surprising number. Scouring all field information reports, the task force is also working closely with Toronto Fire Services and the Fire Marshal.

"Clearly, there is an individual or individuals going about setting small fires," Nosworthy told The Villager. "Our sense is that this is a case of mischief. It's not directed at any one person."

The number of fires set by classic arsonists, "the CSI version, who keeps perfecting his skills, lying in wait," are very rare, said the detective. A mischievous arsonist is someone who lights fires because he can, she said. Police suspect the person they are looking for is between the ages of 15 and 25. It's most likely a young person who's out and about at odd hours of the night who sees the opportunity to start a little fire because he can.

However, Nosworthy said she wouldn't typify High Park as a fire division.

"If I lived in this neighbourhood, I wouldn't live in fear of my house burning down," she said.

Since setting up the task force last year, police haven't seen any fires. There have been few tips called in to Crime Stoppers as well.

"People have kept an eye out for each other. The weather has helped us too," Nosworthy said referring to the sub-zero temperatures. "Luckily, no one has been hurt yet. At the end of the day, it's only property."

Police say there are precautions people can take to prevent them from becoming victims of such crime. These include:

- Making sure all doors, windows and skylights to your house and garage are closed and locked.

- Keeping your vehicle locked at all times.

- Parking your vehicle in a locked garage if possible.

- Checking to ensure all exterior lighting around your home is powered and operational.

- Using your exterior lighting. Install some if you don't have any.

- If you have a back alley or easement, be sure no unauthorized person can get into it.

- Beware of landscaping that may provide a possible source of combustion, or cover for someone lurking at night.

- Trim back trees and bushes on your property.

- Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home with the promise you'll do the same for them. Concentrate on houses where people are away on vacation.

- Make sure there are no sources of flammable materials left out in the open, like rags, wood, gasoline cans, newspapers etc.

- Lock and chain barbecue propane tanks (spare tanks also) to prevent them from being used as a source of flammable material.

- Talk to your family about a fire plan and how to get out if a blaze strikes your home. Remember to arrange a specific meeting place so everyone knows all the members of your household escaped the flames.

- Make sure smoke detectors are installed on every floor of your home and they are operational.

- Consider having an emergency collapsible ladder if your bedroom is on an upper floor, to make it easier to escape by an upstairs window.

- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

- Report any suspicious person(s) or events to the police.

- Do not delay in calling the police. Hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety. Then call immediately. The faster the police are able to respond, the better the chances the criminal(s) will be arrested.

Anyone with information is asked to contacted Detective Judy Nosworthy at 416-808-1136.