arsonists
Deliberate fire starters
Arsonists are people who deliberately set fires to property.
The term applies whether the motive is insurance fraud, revenge, thrill-seeking, or political protest: Arsonists torched three warehouses in the industrial district.
The word carries criminal connotation—someone who burns their own trash isn't an arsonist.
Causing or designed for burning
- igniteStart burning something
- accelerantCombustion-intensifying substance
- blazeIntense burning fire
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
torch · firebomb · combustion · burn · scorch · char · embers · smolder
Compulsion to start fires
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- impulseSudden urge to act
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
firebug · pathology · recidivist · profiling · behavioral · thrill-seeking · antisocial · disorder
Planned before acting
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
planned · methodical · scheming · malicious · targeted · revenge · spite · insurance fraud
Serious crime offenders
- convictsImprisoned felons
- offendersThose who commit wrongs
- culpritsThose at fault
- perpetratorsThose who commit wrongs
suspects · accomplices · vandals · criminals · lawbreakers · fugitives · defendants · prosecution
incendiary
Causing or designed for burning
- igniteStart burning something
- accelerantCombustion-intensifying substance
- blazeIntense burning fire
inferno · torch · firebomb · combustion · burn · scorch · char · embers · smolder · firestarter
pyromania
Compulsion to start fires
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- impulseSudden urge to act
fascination · firebug · pathology · recidivist · profiling · behavioral · thrill-seeking · antisocial · disorder · escalation
premeditated
Planned before acting
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- intentionalDone on purpose
willful · planned · methodical · scheming · malicious · targeted · revenge · spite · insurance fraud · cover-up
felons
Serious crime offenders
perpetrators · suspects · accomplices · vandals · criminals · lawbreakers · fugitives · defendants · prosecution · arrest
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
rubble · gutted · razed · incinerated · charred · scorched · damage · loss · casualties · victims
arsonistsfirefighters
Emergency personnel combating blazes
firemen · fire brigade · first responders · fire marshals · smoke jumpers