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Fires can start for a variety of reasons. Some fires have natural causes, or start because of the spontaneous combustion of natural materials. However, in some cases, fires are set intentionally to a home, another structure, or to wild areas. A person who sets a fire deliberately or who causes a fire because of extreme negligence may be charged with the crime of arson.

-Penalties and Punishments
After a fire, experts investigate to determine its cause, using sophisticated techniques ranging from chemical analysis to trained dogs. The evidence they collect is used in court to prove the original cause of the fire. The penalties for arson are associated with the intent of the arsonist as well as the extent of property damage and bodily injury. Arson and its penalties can be classified with varying severity:

-First degree arson: occurs when a person is severely injured or killed by the fire.
-Second degree arson: occurs when a large amount of property is severely and irreversibly damaged
-Misdemeanor arson: a person is charged is a misdemeanor for less severe cases of arson. Additional charges can include destruction of property, breaking and entering, and criminal mischief.
-Death penalty. In rare cases, the death penalty has been assigned as a punishment in arson cases which result in multiple deaths.
-Psychotherapy for mental illness. Mentally ill patients are sometimes sentenced to extensive psycho- and behavioral- therapy or committed to a mental treatment facility.

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