Why are fires started? The common motives for arson are broken down as: Vandalism: When the goal is to mischievously or maliciously harm property, be it abandoned buildings or, as is commonly the case, schools. Excitement: When a fire is set to gain attention or get a rush, or, sometimes, sexual gratification. A common example of excitement-motivated arson occurs when a fire is set so that the arsonist can then act as a hero by calling firefighters or helping to put it out. In the intense wildfire season of 2002, two people who were employed to put out wildfires were accused of intentionally setting them. Revenge: When a fire is set in a malicious attempt to right a wrong, whether the offense is real or imagined. This type of fire is sometimes fueled by other motives as well. It is divided into four subgroups: Personal (target is an individual), Societal (grievance is with society as a whole), Institutional (targeting an established organization, like the military, as a whole) and Group (targeting members of a group, often striking against their meeting place). Crime-Concealment When arson is secondary to a crime that has already taken place, and the fire is set to destroy evidence. Profit: When a fire is set to make money either directly, such as through insurance, or indirectly, through jobs created in putting out the fire or rebuilding afterward. Extremism: When a fire is set to promote a viewpoint. Examples of targets are synagogues, abortion clinics and animal labs.