Arson

Arson is a crime commonly defined by statute as willful and malicious damage or destruction of property by means of fire or explosion.

Two degrees of arson:

• Arson in the first degree can be charged when human life (including firefighters) was put at risk by the fire, or when the intent was to collect insurance money on property valued over $10,000. An arsonist can also be charged with murder or manslaughter if someone dies as a result of his or her action.
• Arson in the second degree is when fire was intentionally and maliciously set to property or a structure.