If a fire is not of accidental cause, then what type of cause is it?

When considering the types of fire causes, "incendiary" refers specifically to fires that are intentionally set with the aim of causing damage or destruction. This categorization is important in fire investigations to determine the motive behind a fire, particularly in arson cases. An incendiary fire typically involves elements such as the intentional use of flammable materials or ignition sources that are deliberately applied to start the fire.

In contrast, natural causes refer to fires sparked by environmental factors, such as lightning or volcanic activity, while electrical and mechanical causes pertain to accidents resulting from failures in systems or equipment. These latter categories do not imply any intent to cause harm and are often classified under accidental causes. Thus, when a fire is ruled out as accidental, identifying it as incendiary highlights the purposeful action taken to initiate the fire, making it a critical distinction in fire analysis and investigation.