148025

<p>Arson is the intentional burning of property, namely the dwelling house or business premises of another. The most usual motives for intentionally burning property are to collect fire insurance; to conceal the existence of some other crime; to obtain revenge upon the owner; to punish the owner, generally a merchant for failure to pay demanded extortion money; and to experience the excitement of watching the blaze.</p><p>Intentionally starting or maintaining a fire or causing an explosion which endangers a person or a building or causes substantial property damage is a crime. This is distinguished from arson in that destruction of the property is not the intent and generally is considered a lesser offence.</p>