Arson

Arson

Arson is the crime of intentionally, deliberately and maliciously setting fire to buildings, wildland areas, abandoned homes, vehicles or other property with the intent to cause damage or enjoy the act. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion, accidental fires (e.g. smoking in bed), and natural wildfires. Arson often involves someone deliberately burning their own property, or having someone else do it, to collect the insurance.A person who commits arson is an arsonist. More often than not, arsonists use accelerants (such as gasoline or kerosene) to ignite, propel and directionalize fires. An arsonist may or may not be a pyromaniac, depending on his or her motives (e.g. whether the arson was done out of financial duress or the mere desire to watch fire destroy land, property, etc.).

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