“Pyro-terrorism is the use of incendiary attacks to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, to advance political or social objectives” (Baird, 2006). Pyroterrorism attacks differ from traditional arson attacks and can comprise a component of dual-phase ambushes, incur injuries and fatalities, create fear and confusion, and delay the response and mitigation of an incident.
The often simple application of fire as a weapon by terrorists creates a complex and challenging situation for counter-terrorism (CT) and emergency service agencies, with the traditional risks associated with fire, such as toxic atmospheres created by smoke and carbon monoxide, structural compromise, and rapid fire spread, compounded by actions seen in terrorist attacks.
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Source: Salus Journal