Fire vs. Arson — What's the Difference?

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Fire is hot because the conversion of the weak double bond in molecular oxygen, O2, to the stronger bonds in the combustion products carbon dioxide and water releases energy (418 kJ per 32 g of O2); the bond energies of the fuel play only a minor role here.

Arson is a crime of willfully and maliciously setting fire to or charring property. Though the act typically involves buildings, the term arson can also refer to the intentional burning of other things, such as motor vehicles, watercraft, or forests.

A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance

The crime of intentionally and illegally setting fire to a building or other structure.

A specific instance of this change that destroys something

An instance of this crime

A burning fuel

The crime of deliberately starting a fire with intent to cause damage.

Burning intensity of feeling; ardor or enthusiasm

(obsolete) A saddlebow.

Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.

To illegally set fire to; to burn down in a criminal manner.

Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance

The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious and voluntary firing of a building or ship.

A severe test; a trial or torment

Malicious burning to destroy property;

A fever or bodily inflammation

The discharge of firearms or artillery

The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.

Discharged bullets or other projectiles

Intense, repeated attack or criticism

To cause to burn; ignite or set fire to

To illuminate or cause to resemble fire, as in color

To start (a fuel-burning engine or a vehicle with such an engine). Often used with up.

To start or tend a fire in

To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up

To inspire or arouse (an emotion or the imagination).

To bake or dry by heating, as in a kiln

To discharge (a firearm, for example).

To detonate (an explosive).

To propel (a projectile) from a weapon or launch (a missile)

(Informal) To throw or propel with force and speed

To utter or direct with insistence

(Games) To score (a number) in a game or contest

To end the employment or service of; dismiss.

To become ignited; flame up

To shoot a weapon

To detonate an explosive.

To ignite fuel; start

To send out a projectile; discharge

To propel or hurl a projectile

(Physiology) To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.

To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.

(uncountable) A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.

(countable) An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).

(countable) The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.

The aforementioned chemical reaction of burning, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.

A heater or stove used in place of a real fire (such as an electric fire).

(countable) The elements necessary to start a fire.

(uncountable) The bullets or other projectiles fired from a gun or other ranged weapon.

(countable) A planned bombardment by artillery or similar weapons, or the capability to deliver such.

A barrage, volley

(rocketry) An instance of firing one or more rocket engines.

Strength of passion, whether love or hate.

Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm.

Splendour; brilliancy; lustre; hence, a star.

A severe trial; anything inflaming or provoking.

Red coloration in a piece of opal.

(slang) Amazing; excellent.

(transitive) To set (something, often a building) on fire.

(transitive) To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.

(transitive) To drive away by setting a fire.

(transitive) To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).

To terminate a contract with a client; to drop a client.

(transitive) To shoot (a gun, rocket/missile, or analogous device).

(intransitive) To shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.

(rocketry) To operate a rocket engine to produce thrust.

To set off an explosive in a mine.

To shoot; to attempt to score a goal.

To cause an action potential in a cell.

(transitive) To forcibly direct (something).

To initiate an event (by means of an event handler).

(transitive) To inflame; to irritate, as the passions.

To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

To animate; to give life or spirit to.

To feed or serve the fire of.

(transitive) To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.

To cauterize.

To catch fire; to be kindled.

Command to shoot with firearms

The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies; combustion; state of ignition.

Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace.

The burning of a house or town; a conflagration.

Anything which destroys or affects like fire.

Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.

Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.

Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.

Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction.

The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.

To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.

To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery.

To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge.

To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man.

To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler.

To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.

To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a rifle, pistol, or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc.

To drive by fire.

To cauterize.

To dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; - of a person. The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer.

To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle.

To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town.to grow irritated or angry.

The event of something burning (often destructive);

The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke;

The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy;

A fireplace in which a fire is burning;

Intense adverse criticism;

Feelings of great warmth and intensity;

Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)

A severe trial;

Start firing a weapon

Cause to go off;

Bake in a kiln so as to harden;

Terminate the employment of;

Go off or discharge;

Drive out or away by or as if by fire;

Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);

Destroy by fire;

Provide with fuel;