Thousands of fires occur each year across the United States. Whether it's wildfires, house fires, or any other event involving out-of-control flames, the outcome will always be the same; large amounts of destruction and physical damage. When fire situations arise, responding to the incident may not be very complicated, compared to determining the source from where the fire started or what triggered its behavior, which constitutes truly a challenge. To do this, a fire investigator must be present at the scene of the fire after it has been eliminated. The investigator, after examining possible marks or leads of behavior, will conclude whether the incident was indeed accidental or intentional, which would make it an arson. According to the US Fire Administration Topical Fire Research Series, “arson is the leading cause of fires (267,000 per year) in the United States” (usfa.fema.gov). Arson cases are very complex because they can be committed virtually anywhere and by anyone, including firefighters. The motives for arson can also be a very complex question, as they may have been used as a cry for help or simply as a mode of cognitive escape. The collected reports indicate that the main reasons for arson committed by fire personnel should be considered heroic figure, escape from personal stress, financial gain goals, excitement or even revenge against firefighters and others. Arson, as defined by Find Law, means “the willful and malicious burning or charring of property…classified as a felony because of the potential to cause injury or death” (criminal.findlaw.com). FEMA reports estimates of approximately "280 deaths, 775 injuries, and $593 million in property losses each... middle of paper... following the LI arson case that claimed the lives of mother and her children. (February 19, 2010). New York Daily News. Accessed May 8, 2014, from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/wannabe-hero-firefighter-caleb-lacey-convicted-murder-arson-case-left-mom-kids-dead-article-1.166261. Whitfield County firefighter charged with arson. (April 27, 2014). Whitfield County firefighter charged with arson. Accessed May 5, 2014, from http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/2014/04/27/firefighter-charged-with-arson-georgia/8268415/Special Report: Firefighter Arson. (2003, January 1).. Accessed May 7, 2014 from http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-141.pdfZapotosky, M. and Morse, D. (2009, November 6 ). 2 firefighters from Pr.George accused of arson. Washington Post. Retrieved May 4, 2014 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/05/AR2009110504793.html