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 Vermont, arson is considered a serious crime and is addressed under Vermont Statutes Title 13, Crimes and Criminal Procedure. The law categorizes arson based on the severity of the act and the intent behind it. Arson with the intent to collect insurance, for example, is treated as a form of fraud. Vermont law distinguishes between different degrees of arson, with the first degree being the most severe, often involving cases where the arson resulted in a risk of death or serious bodily injury to any person, or when the property was occupied. Lesser degrees of arson may involve property that was unoccupied or the burning of one's own property with fraudulent intent, such as to collect insurance money. Penalties for arson in Vermont can include imprisonment, fines, or both, and the severity of the penalty typically corresponds to the degree of arson and the damages or injuries caused. Additionally, arson is also a federal crime when it affects interstate or foreign commerce, and such cases are prosecuted under federal law, which can lead to more severe penalties than state law.