How Common Is It For An Arsonist To Be a Woman?

United States
August 1, 2026 12:58pm CST
I saw a local news story yesterday here in Louisville, KY. A woman who appeared to be in her 30's was arrested for arson. She went on a spree down an alley across town setting several detached garages on fire as well as setting trash cans on fire as well. There was significant damage to multiple structures. That got me to wondering how common it is for an arsonist to be a female. Generally you see men as being the ones setting fire to things. So I researched it. I found that somewhere between 10-20% of all arsonists are female. That's higher than I expected. But yeah, I was right, most arsons are committed by men. Then I went down the research rabbit hole further to learn the differences as to why males and females set things on fire. Apparently female arsonists have mental health issues most of the time and a many of them were victims of childhood sexual abuse. They start fires for attention or revenge most of the time. Male arsonists, on the other hand, set fires for money, concealment of other crimes, or just for the excitement of it.
7 people like this
7 responses
2h
Arson is mostly committed by men, with studies indicating that women account for a small percentage of arson offenders, 10-15%. This gender disparity is consistent across various studies of criminal behavior.
1 person likes this
• United States
1h
Your answer looks like a copy paste from the internet. What? No witty remarks about men getting aroused by setting fire?
1 person likes this
43m
@LooeyVille I couldn't copy paste if I tried Do you know that 20 years ago there was a post on here about my inability to do just that Some members spent months trying to teach me I didn't know men got aroused by setting fire But then again I have always been able to get arousal from my interactions with women I know not all men are as fortunate I have though used wall paper paste Sadly.I should have used toothpaste Got them mixed up But I did have that Colgate Ring of Confidence I cleaned my butt with it Happy hoop indeed
@TheHorse (239613)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
10 to 2? Or 10 to 20?
1 person likes this
• United States
1h
10 to 20
@AmbiePam (123933)
• United States
53m
It surprises me too that that number is so high for women.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (99527)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
48m
Remember the true stoy about the woman who set her abusive husband's bed on fire when she had had enough,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (239613)
• Walnut Creek, California
1h
Interesting research. I always think "mental illness" when I hear of unusual crimes.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (21899)
• London, England
2h
I sometimes wonder if criminal women get away with a lot because it is expected that men are almost always suspected. Doubt it, but you never know
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (123826)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
Just now
Most acts of arson are started by men for reasons like collecting insurance or wanting to be famous by sharing the incident on social media.