What defines an incendiary fire?

An incendiary fire is defined as a fire that is intentionally set with the purpose of causing damage or destruction. This type of fire is typically associated with criminal intent, and it involves deliberate action to ignite a fire, often for reasons such as vandalism, arson, or as part of a wider criminal scheme. Understanding incendiary fires is critical in fire investigation because it helps to distinguish between accidental fires and those that are purposeful in nature. This distinction is essential for legal actions and for the determination of liability, as intentional fires are subject to different laws and penalties compared to those caused by natural occurrences or accidents.