Which children set fires?  Why do they do it?

Curious Children

• Boys and girls ages 2 to 10, sometimes younger or slow learners
• Lack of understanding of the destructive potential of fire
• Ready access to lighters, matches, or open flame
• Unsupervised

Troubled Firesetter

• Mostly boys of all ages
• Have set two or more fires
• Use fire to express anger, sadness, frustration, or powerless feeling related to stress or major changes in their life
• May not understand the consequences of uncontrolled fire
• Will continue to set fires until needs are identified and met
• Also known as "crisis' or "cry for help" firesetters

Delinquent / Criminal

• Usually teens with a history of fire setting, truancy, antisocial behavior, or drug/alcohol abuse
• Fires are set with intent to destroy, or as acts of vandalism and malicious mischief
• Targets are typically schools, open fields, dumpsters, or abandoned buildings.
• May involve restitution and criminal punishment if determined to be arson.

Emotionally disturbed

Psychiatric Diagnosis

• Fire may be random, ritualized or with specific intent to destroy property
• Chronic history of school behavioral, social, emotional, or physical problems
• Boys or girls, all ages
• Set many fire