What common element is shared among various degrees of arson?

The common element that is shared among various degrees of arson is the damage caused by fire or explosion. Arson is defined by the deliberate act of setting fire to property with the intention of causing damage. Whether the property is a building, vehicle, or other types of structures, the key aspect that categorizes an act as arson is that it involves damage resulting from fire or explosive means. This element remains consistent across different degrees of arson, regardless of additional factors such as whether the intent was to commit theft or the specific methods used to access the property.

While the use of flammable materials, intention to commit a theft, and methods of entering property can be relevant to specific cases of arson or may influence the severity of charges, they do not universally define the act itself across all degrees. The defining characteristic that links all arson cases is the intentional setting of a fire that results in damage.