Arson is the intentional burning of property—such as a building, car, boat, crops, or trees—with criminal or fraudulent intent. The criminal intent or motive behind arson is often insurance fraud—such as when the owner of property intentionally burns it and then files an insurance claim without disclosing the owner intentionally started the fire.

Arson is a felony offense under most state laws, but there are often different degrees of severity, depending on factors such as whether the fire results in physical injury or death. Arson is also a crime under federal law, which makes it illegal to use fire or an explosive to damage or destroy property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

In Alabama, arson is considered a serious felony offense. The state's legal statutes categorize arson into different degrees based on the severity of the act and its consequences. First-degree arson, the most severe form, involves intentionally setting fire to an occupied building, and it is a Class A felony. Second-degree arson occurs when a person intentionally damages a building by starting a fire or an explosion, and it is a Class B felony. Third-degree arson, a Class C felony, involves intentionally damaging any property by fire or explosion. The presence of factors such as whether the property was occupied, whether the act endangered human life, and the type of property involved can influence the degree of the charge. Additionally, if the motive behind the arson is insurance fraud, this can lead to additional charges related to fraud and deception. Under federal law, arson is also a crime when it involves property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or affects such commerce, reflecting the government's jurisdiction over interstate matters.