# Not-so-typical Information About Fire

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 19, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539 "2003-09-19T03:10:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Nebulous\_Prime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/919ad9/32.png) [@Nebulous\_Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nebulous_Prime)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/1 "2003-09-19T03:10:05Z")

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I’m currently working on a novel where the main character is something of an arsonist. I’m sure there have been many stories containing a similar protagonist (arsonist), so I’ll obviously have to give him more flare. For example, he does not burn things for destructive purposes only.

Anyway, I’ve been searching the Internet rather extensively over the past few days (including the phenomenal source list **Arnold Winkelried** provided), and haven’t been able to find the particular information I’m looking for. That reason may become evident in the next few sentences.

For my novel, when my character is preparing to create a fire, I don’t simply want to say, “Jack set fire to the building and watched it burn”. I’d much prefer including some fine details about starting fires. For example, are there specific fire accelerants used…are there stragetic positionings for that which will create the fire…etc.

Obviously this information isn’t handed out left and right. Additionally, I’m trying not to raise the suspicion of those who may be monitoring my Google searches. Basically, I’m looking for some solid information for my book. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

```
                                                             ***-- Nebulous***
```

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**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/2 "2003-09-19T03:44:39Z")

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Try contacting your local fire department’s arson investigators. That way there would be no question that your query was on the up-and-up.

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**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/3 "2003-09-19T04:03:24Z")

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There is no way that in our current political climate I would answer that question if I knew the answer.

Oh, put in your acknowledgments: Thanks to the [Harlan County] Fire Department for their technical assistance; all factual errors are theirs, not mine, as they didn’t want me to give you any ideas.

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**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/4 "2003-09-19T04:14:13Z")

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The problem here is that since this is a message board, none of us actually know you.

I’m not saying that’s bad in itself, but without some background it would be irresponsible to give out specific details on the mechanics behind arson.

Besides, if you’re writing fiction you could just make most stuff up and your target audience will probably buy your story. I doubt people who read fiction regularly cross reference to verify details.

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**Author:** ![Nebulous\_Prime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/919ad9/32.png) [@Nebulous\_Prime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nebulous_Prime)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/5 "2003-09-19T04:16:56Z")

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**Ruby -**

Not a bad idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

However, I may reserve this as a last resort so as not to prompt any suspicion from the local authorities. Then on the other hand I may just be paranoid. I really have no idea how the arson investigation unit would respond to my asking about arson and such.

From the little information I have accumulated, I may just embellish the means in which my character creates his fires. As they say, the worst kind of lie is the one with a little bit of truth in it. This may be the safest thing to do, for I feel as I’m coming across as rather maniacal here.

I have yet to try the library. I’ll certainly give that a good perusal.

Any other thoughts are immensely appreciated.

**– Nebulous**

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**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-so-typical-information-about-fire/202539/6 "2003-09-19T04:27:56Z")

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Arson is illegal. Answering your question would be counter to our board policy against fostering or promoting illegal activity.

This is closed.

**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator