• Making considerable preparations for starting a fire
• Indifference toward the consequences to life or property caused by the fire
• Experiencing tension or affective arousal before setting a fire
• May be regular observers at fires in their neighborhoods
• May set off false fire alarms
• May derive pleasure from institutions, equipment, and personnel associated with fire

Criterion A. Deliberate and purposeful fire setting on more than 1 occasion.

Criterion B. Tension or affective arousal before the act.

Criterion C. Fascination with, interest in, curiosity about, or attraction to fire and its situational contexts (e.g. paraphernalia, uses, consequences).

Criterion D. Pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fires or when witnessing or participating in their aftermath.

Criterion E. The fire setting is not done for monetary gain, as an expression of sociopolitical ideology, to conceal criminal activity, to express anger or vengeance, to improve one’s living circumstances, in response to a delusion or hallucination, or as a result of impaired judgment.

Criterion F. The fire setting is not better explained by conduct disorder, a manic episode, or antisocial personality disorder.