I agree with your statement that knowing a person’s intent is very difficult. What I see in many reports is speculation as to intent bases on information that may not be from the investigation of the scene but has to do with motive. I wish we would follow the direction of the Fire Administration and the NFIRS system as to terminology. They have done a good job in steering away from the motive and specifically addressing the actual cause for the ignition.

Presently, in 921 one needs to know intent before the fire can be classified. If they do not know the intent then they must list it undetermined. If we extrapolate that idea to Dan's case then we have the problem you suggest about a fire in the sofa. Maybe trying to classify a fire under one of those three or four categories is too simplistic and we need to go into more detail as to the factors concerning ignition, as is being done in NIFRS and less on motive.