Types of Arson

Arson Offender Types: Behavioral

• Some arson is perpetrated by a person operating on an impulse. Pathological fire starters are called pyromaniacs. They have a psychological disorder that compels them to start fires for no other reason than satisfying their impulse. Other fire starters light fires for reasons of revenge, a desire to vandalize, to cover up a crime or simply for the excitement caused by the fire.
  
  

Arson Offender Types: Economic

• Other arsonists light fires for monetary reasons. These people may start a fire to fraudulently collect on an insurance claim. For instance, a business owner may light fire to a failing restaurant for the purpose of getting enough money out of the insurance to start over with a new business.
  
  

Types of Arson: Single, Double or Triple

• Single, double or triple arson refers to one, two or three fires being set in different locations with no cooling-off period in between. For instance, two houses being set on fire in the same place by the same suspected arsonist would be considered a double arson. A mass arson refers to more than one fire being set at the same location at the same time, and a spree indicates three or more fires set in different locations with no cooling-off period.
  
  

Types of Arson: Serial

• Serial arson refers to three or more incidents of arson taking place in different locations with a cooling-off period in between. Serial arson is most likely to be perpetrated by a pyromaniac who is compelled to light the fires and may happen on a schedule or after a triggering event.