569.050. Arson in the second degree — penalty.
Setting fire to a building on purpose
Someone commits second-degree arson if they purposely start a fire or cause an explosion that damages a building or a place where people live or stay.
1. A person breaks this law if they knowingly damage any building or livable space by starting a fire or causing an explosion.
2. It’s not a crime if:
- No one else owns or has legal rights to the property, or everyone who does gave permission; and
- The fire was started for a legal and proper reason.
3. The person being charged must bring up this defense in court—it won’t automatically apply.
4. This is normally a class D felony. But if someone gets seriously hurt or dies because of the fire or explosion, it becomes a class B felony, which is more serious.
Contact Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
