pyromaniac
Compulsive fire starter
A pyromaniac is someone with an irresistible urge to start fires.
The term suggests a psychological compulsion rather than arson for profit or revenge: The pyromaniac had set dozens of brush fires before being caught.
In casual use, pyromaniac loosely describes anyone fascinated by fire or who enjoys setting things ablaze.
One who illegally ignites
- firebugDeliberate flame-setter
- firestarterMaterial that initiates combustion
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- torchHandheld burning light source
firebomb · accelerant · arson · matchstick · lighter · flammable · combustible · criminal
Visible burning combustion
- burningCombustion in progress
- blazeIntense burning fire
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
- conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
ignition · combustion · embers · smolder · sparks · kindle · scorch · char
Strong inner drive
- impulseSudden urge to act
- driveOperate a vehicle
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
fixation · fascination · enthrallment · irresistible · uncontrollable · trigger · temptation · ritual
Source of potential harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- riskPossibility of harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
volatile · explosive · catastrophe · disaster · destruction · devastation · recklessness · alarm
Absence of organization
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- behaviorManner of conducting oneself
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
DSM · psychiatry · assessment · childhood · trauma · recidivism · rehabilitation · counseling
arsonist
One who illegally ignites
- firebugDeliberate flame-setter
- firestarterMaterial that initiates combustion
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
torch · firebomb · accelerant · arson · matchstick · lighter · flammable · combustible · criminal · felony
flames
Visible burning combustion
conflagration · ignition · combustion · embers · smolder · sparks · kindle · scorch · char · incinerate
urge
Strong inner drive
obsession · fixation · fascination · enthrallment · irresistible · uncontrollable · trigger · temptation · ritual · thrill-seeking
hazard
Source of potential harm
menace · volatile · explosive · catastrophe · disaster · destruction · devastation · recklessness · alarm · warning
disorder
Absence of organization
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- behaviorManner of conducting oneself
impulse control · DSM · psychiatry · assessment · childhood · trauma · recidivism · rehabilitation · counseling · institutionalization
- compulsivesperfectionist, obsessive, neurotic, control freak, neat freak
- pyrosarsonist, firebug, fire starter, firestarter, incendiary
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
pyromaniacfirefighter
Emergency blaze responder
fireman · fire extinguisher · fire marshal · arson investigator · smoke jumper
pyromaniacconservationist
Protector of natural resources
preservationist · protector · restorer · guardian · caretaker