What term describes a fire determined to be intentionally set based on examination and witness interviews?

The term used to describe a fire that is determined to be intentionally set is "incendiary." This classification arises from a thorough examination of the fire scene, along with interviews of witnesses which reveal that the fire was deliberately ignited. Fire investigators look for evidence such as accelerants, ignition devices, or patterns that indicate the fire did not start by natural means. This contrasts sharply with accidental fires, where the cause is unintentional—often due to negligence or unforeseen circumstances. The terms "spontaneous" and "delayed" do not apply in this context, as "spontaneous" generally refers to fires that ignite without any external flame or spark and "delayed" typically refers to a fire that has a lag between ignition and being noticed or reported, neither of which suggest intent to ignite. Thus, identifying a fire as incendiary is crucial for legal accountability and understanding the motivations behind the act, reinforcing the need for proper investigation and analysis in fire marshal duties.