Whats the Difference between an Arsonist and Pyromaniac?

A person can be both. An arsonist is someone that deliberately sets fire to something intending to cause injury and/or damage. A pyromaniac is someone that lights fires because it gives them excitement, a thrill, buzz, call it what you will, but they don't necessarily have an intent to cause injury or damage even though that might be the end result. Arson is a criminal offence; there is no offence of pyromania in law. So basically arson is a wilful criminal act whereas pyromania is a state of mind.

An arsonist is someone who lights places and/or peoples homes on fire. Some arsonists, but not all, are fueled by revenge or anger towards someone. A pyromaniac is someone whom has an obsession with fire. They have an unusual fascination with it, but they might just be entertained by a bonfire, as opposed to an arsonist who lights buildings on fire, or sometimes forests, etc.....

Very simple. Arson is the act of setting a fire and has criminality attached to the act. Pyromania is an obsessive need to set fires, and may be cause for jail time or may not result in jail time due to the person's alleged psychological condition(obesssion with setting fires in this case).

to my thinking an arsonist is someone who sets fire to a building or someones belongings out of malicious intent where as a pyromaniac has a simple compulsion to set fire to things ..not necesarrily out of malice or intent to ruin others property.

Arsonist is the criminal who maliciously, voluntarily, and willfully setting fire to the building, buildings, or other property of another or of burning one's own property for an improper purpose, as to collect insurance.

Pyromaniac is a person with an irresistable urge to set fires.

I think that they both have urges to set fires, but one is just irresistable and one is just malice.

An Arsonist is one who burns down buildings and probably does it for gain.

A Pyromaniac loves fire, and gains satisfaction from fire.

An arsonist starts a fire for whatever reason i.e. insurance $$... revenge...etc... Pyromaniacs start fires because they are fascinated and "turned on" by fire... It is an mental disorder ... They are sick and can't stop themselves...

An arsonist sets fires (usually to destroy someone else's property) but doesn't hang around to watch it burn....while the pyromanic will watch the fire no matter who sets it.

an arsonist deliberately sets fire to things to destroy property and hurt people.

a pyromaniac has a fascination with fire and will burn anything.

The difference is the thickness of a prison wall.