Arson (3rd Degree) involves:

Arson (3rd Degree) involves:

• A. Recklessly causes destruction or damage to a building of his own or of another by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.
• B. Intentionally starts a fire in a building to collect insurance.
• C. Recklessly damages a building without fire.
• D. Intentionally destroying a building inhabited by others.

Answer: (A)

Third-degree arson centers on starting a fire or causing an explosion that results in destruction or damage to a building, with the offender acting recklessly about the damage. The key element is the dangerous fire event causing damage, and the mental state is recklessness regarding that damage, not merely wishing to burn or having a different motive. The statement fits because it describes intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion that leads to destruction or damage to a building, and it allows the property to be either the offender’s or someone else’s. The other scenarios go beyond the required elements: starting a fire to collect insurance describes a motive rather than the statutory elements; damaging a building without fire isn’t arson; destroying a building inhabited by others typically falls under a higher-degree arson or a related offense, not the third degree.

Third-degree arson centers on starting a fire or causing an explosion that results in destruction or damage to a building, with the offender acting recklessly about the damage. The key element is the dangerous fire event causing damage, and the mental state is recklessness regarding that damage, not merely wishing to burn or having a different motive. The statement fits because it describes intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion that leads to destruction or damage to a building, and it allows the property to be either the offender’s or someone else’s.

The other scenarios go beyond the required elements: starting a fire to collect insurance describes a motive rather than the statutory elements; damaging a building without fire isn’t arson; destroying a building inhabited by others typically falls under a higher-degree arson or a related offense, not the third degree.