AN OVERVIEW SUMMARIZES THE MAJOR CAUSES FOR INCENDIARY FIRES IN URBAN AREAS AND THE PROCESSES WHEREBY THE SCENE IS SET FOR INSURANCE-MOTIVATED ARSON. ACCEPTED CAUSES OF ACCIDENTAL FIRES ARE DELINEATED, TOGETHER WITH THE TELLTALE SIGNS OF A SET FIRE, SUCH AS THE SIZE OF THE FIRE, THE COLOR OF THE FLAMES, AND THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE FIRE IS MOVING. WAYS FOR RECOGNIZING THE USE OF ACCELERANTS ARE IDENTIFIED, AS ARE WAYS TO DETERMINE THE POINT OF ORIGIN AND THE MATERIALS USED TO IGNITE THE FIRE. METHODS FOR OBTAINING EVIDENCE OF A MOTIVE FOR ARSON ARE DISCUSSED. THE KINDS OF DOCUMENTS TO BE OBTAINED AS EVIDENTIARY ARE EXAMINED. FURTHER STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE OVERALL FIRE INVESTIGATION ARE DETAILED, SUCH AS MAKING BACKGROUND STUDIES, PHOTOGRAPHING THE SCENE OF THE FIRE, AND QUESTIONING WITNESSES. QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED OF THE INSURANCE AGENT OR BROKER ARE PROVIDED, AND PROCEEDINGS TO BE FOLLOWED IN COURT ARE EXPLORED. FINALLY, METHODS FOR HANDLING INTERVIEWS WITH THE INSURED ARE CONSIDERED.