In common law, arson consisted of setting fire to the dwelling of another person. In English law any kind of damage deliberately caused by fire – even setting fire to rubbish – is now arson, but generally setting fire to a building is necessary. The gravity of the crime may depend on the extent to which life is endangered – the law may distinguish between arson endangering life, or arson of occupied buildings, and other forms of arson, but most systems consider the crime a serious one.
The motivation of those who commit arson differs – arson may be committed as an act of revenge against an employer or by a jealous lover, for example, or by persons who find excitement in fires or have pathological impulses to set fires. Pathological behaviour or feelings happen regularly, are unreasonable, and impossible to control. Pupils out of resentment or simple vandalism so metimes set schools on fire. [Resentment is a feeling of anger because something has happened that you think is unfair. Vandalism is the crime of deliberately damaging things, especially public property].
Some arson is more rationally motivated – a burglar may set fire to a house to conceal the evidence of his crime, as may an employee who is anxious to conceal accounts from an auditor. [Burglar is someone who gets into houses, shops etc. to steal things. Auditor is someone whose job is to officially examine a company`s financial records.] Another phenomenon is setting fire to premises belonging to the fire setter in order to make a fraudulent insurance claim.
Notes:
arson – поджог
insurance claim – иск из страхования
suicidal impulse – влечение к самоубийству
burglar – вор — взломщик
fraudulent – мошеннический
premises – дом с прилегающими постройками и участком
revenge / vengeance – месть
resentment – чувство обиды
gravity – серьезность, тяжесть