This article describes the best solution(s) to The Arsonist Call Incident. Follow the instructions below to learn how to get the most Reputation Points and/or other benefits, and avoid unnecessary penalties or complications.
The Arsonist incident is completely linear; it will work the exact same way each time you play it. As a result, the instructions given in this article will always be best.
Choice of Help[]
This incident gives you two options to choose from, based on what you want to accomplish:
- Get the caller to chase the arsonist, making the search portion much easier.
- Get the caller to fight the fire, making the job easier for firefighters.
Knowing which units you have on hand and nearby will help you make this decision. Also note that both paths give the same Reputation reward, if you follow the corresponding instructions below.
Additionally, note that you may prefer to intentionally avoid catching the arsonist himself, as you can get an extra €25,000 by leaving him for one more Duty. More on this below.
Optimal Conversation - Chasing the Arsonist[]
Following this conversation flow will halve the amount of time it takes (on average) to complete the search for the arsonist. Use this path if you don't have enough units for a fast and thorough search.
| Speaker | Dialogue | Extra Effects | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Operator | - 112, what's your emergency? | |
|
Caller | - Hello?! I'm at <address>! I was just about to start my car... And i saw this man's poured something all over this wooden building and... oh God, he started a fire!
|
 Arson Scene discovered |
| I'M SENDING HELP! | |||
|
|
Operator | - I'm sending the emergency services to your location! | Arson Scene Reputation Reward increased by +4 |
|
|
Caller | - Thank you... They better get here fast... He's getting away! | |
| CHASE HIM | |||
|
|
Operator | - Chase him! | |
|
|
Caller | - Me?! But what about the fire? | |
| FIREMEN WILL PUT IT OUT | |||
|
|
Operator | - The firefighters will take care of it, don't let him get away! | Arson Scene Reputation Reward increased by +3 |
|
|
Caller | - Uhhh... Okay!...I'm... I'm running! | |
| WHAT IS HE WEARING? | |||
|
|
Operator | - What is he wearing? | |
|
|
Caller | - I can't... dark jacket... bright hair... handsome... God, he looked straight at me... A car pulled over... He's getting into a car! | Search Area Search Work reduced by -50 seconds per sector |
| TYPE OF VEHICLE? | |||
|
|
Operator | - What kind? | |
|
|
Caller | - A black mini van... they're gone! | Search Area Search Work reduced by -50 seconds per sector |
| WAIT FOR THE POLICE | |||
|
|
Operator | - Ma'am, take it easy, ok? You did great. Just wait for the police, they're gonna take it from here. | |
|
|
Caller | - Okay... I'll wait... Thanks. | Search Area discovered. Call ended. |
Optimal Conversation - Fighting the Fire[]
Following this conversation flow will reduce the growth rate of the fire element at the Arson Scene, making it much easier for firefighters to put it out. Use this if you don't have enough firefighters available to put out a serious fire.
| Speaker | Dialogue | Extra Effects | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Operator | - 112, what's your emergency? | |
|
|
Caller | - Hello?! I'm at <address>! I was just about to start my car... And i saw this man's poured something all over this wooden building and... oh God, he started a fire!
|
Arson Scene discovered |
| I'M SENDING HELP! | |||
|
|
Operator | - I'm sending the emergency services to your location! | Arson Scene Reputation Reward increased by +4 |
|
|
Caller | - Thank you... They better get here fast... He's getting away! | |
| PUT OUT THE FIRE | |||
|
|
Operator | - You should try to put the fire out. I will give you instructions. | |
|
|
Caller | - Oh... I don't... me? I... That's not a good idea... | |
| I WILL GUIDE YOU | |||
|
|
Operator | - Ma'am, I need you to stay calm, it's gonna be alright. I will guide you through this. | |
|
|
Caller | - I..aaa... okay... What should I do? | |
| USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER | |||
|
|
Operator | - You need to find a fire extinguisher. Check in your car. |  Fire Growth Rate reduced by -1.0/s |
|
|
Caller | - Oh, right... I think I do have it somewhere...wait... wait a second... There it is! . . . Okay, it says... foam! It says foam on the front. Is that the right one? | |
| THIS WILL WORK | |||
|
|
Operator | - Yeap! That's the right one. Powder and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers would work on gasoline too. | Arson Scene Reputation Reward increased by +2 |
|
|
Caller | - Okay.... what now? | |
| AIM FOR THE BASE | |||
|
|
Operator | - Ok, pull out the safety pin and test it first. Aim for the base of the fire and keep a safe distance. | Arson Scene Reputation Reward increased by +1 Fire Growth Rate reduced by -0.3/s |
|
|
Caller | - Okay... I have to hang up now... Oh... Wish me luck... | Search Area discovered. Call ended. |
Letting the Arsonist Go[]
Due to a mistake in the scripting of the Arsonist event, it is actually beneficial to not arrest the arsonist during this particular incident.
The reason for this is that failing to arrest the arsonist allows the Arsonist event to proceed to its second stage, at which point The Arsonist objective is added to your objectives list. Completing that objective gives you a reward of €25,000 - no small amount!
On the downside, during the next duty, you will have to play two extra instances of the Burning Building (Arsonist v1) incident, and then complete a Burning Building (Arsonist v2) incident. This can put a bit of a strain your firefighters or police, but is well worth the reward.
To accomplish this, play the incident as normal, but once the search is completed and 
The Arsonist Scene appears, simply ignore it. There is no penalty for doing so, nor do you forfeit any Reputation Reward. Just make sure not to ignore the Arson Scene instead by mistake - as that does carry a hefty penalty.