What is the term for the intentional setting of a fire to cause damage or commit fraud?

The term for the intentional setting of a fire to cause damage or commit fraud is arson. Arson is a criminal act that involves deliberately starting fires with malicious intent, often to destroy property or to commit insurance fraud. It is considered a serious crime because it endangers lives and can result in significant property loss.

Ignition refers to the process of starting a fire but does not imply intent or malice. Fire misconduct is not a commonly used legal term and does not specifically define the act of intentionally setting a fire for harmful purposes. Combustion refers more generally to the chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light, but again, it does not encompass the deliberate aspect of setting a fire with intent to cause harm. Thus, arson is the precise term that encapsulates this criminal activity.