Officials in Essex County say car arsons are rising at an alarming rate as the economy gets worse, specifically in Newark.

Faced with being unable to make car payments, officials say an Orange elementary school teacher hired someone to torch her car. Others are doing the same.

"Once we know a car has been deliberately set on fire, we can investigate the background of the owner and usually find a financial motive of some kind,? Mike Morris, a member of the Essex County Arson Task Force, says. Morris says while most counties see around 25 vehicle arsons a year, Newark alone sees between 300 and 400. He says it?s because the city is surrounded by highways and areas that are desolate at night.

"This is really the center of the vehicle arson universe,? Morris says.

Aggravated arson carries a penalty of five to 10 years in prison.