Pyromania (fascination with fire)
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Fire might fill your thoughts more than you would like, with a pull that seems to come from nowhere when you feel tense, bored or low. Living with urges you know could hurt people is frightening, and you may never have told anyone.
What it is
Pyromania is a rare mental health condition in which someone has repeated, strong urges to set fires that they find very hard to resist, along with an intense fascination with fire and things linked to it. The fires are not set for money, revenge, to hide a crime or because of another illness; the urge and the release it brings are the driving force. It is classed as an impulse control disorder, and doctors diagnose it using the criteria in the DSM-5-TR; the World Health Organization’s ICD-11 also lists it among impulse control disorders. Being interested in fire does not, on its own, mean someone has pyromania.
Pyromania is thought to be rare, even among people who have set fires, and how common it is in the general population is not known. It usually starts in the late teens or early adulthood, often around the age of 18. Some sources say it is more common in men, although one small clinical study found almost as many women as men. It very often sits alongside other conditions, especially depression, bipolar disorder, substance use and other impulse control problems.
How it differs from a phobia
A phobia is a fear that makes you want to get away from something. Pyromania is the opposite pull: fire draws you in rather than frightening you. Tension or excitement builds and fire seems to promise relief, but afterwards many people feel severe distress and shame. The struggle is with an urge, not with fear.
Read more about manias and phobias
Common signs
- Intense fascination with fire and anything linked to it
- Repeated urges to set fires that feel hard to resist
- Setting fires more than once for no clear reason
- Tension or excitement that builds before an urge
- A rush, pleasure or relief tied to fire
- Severe distress, guilt or shame afterwards
- Keeping urges or interest in fire secret
- Urges that grow stronger or more frequent over time
When it tends to show up
- Stress or pressure at home, school or work
- Boredom or having too little to do
- Feeling inadequate or not good enough
- Arguments or conflict with other people
- Feeling down, sad or lonely
- Wanting to feel important or in control
- Drinking or drug use lowering self-control
Symptoms
In your body
- Rising tension or restlessness
- A racing heart or rush of excitement
- A sense of release when the urge passes
- Poor sleep when urges are strong
In your mind
- Thoughts about fire that are hard to switch off
- A strong pull that feels out of your control
- Pleasure or relief, then severe distress
- Shame and fear about what could happen
- Low mood or feeling worthless
What you might do
- Spending hours on fire videos or news
- Being drawn to fire engines, fire stations or emergencies
- Keeping urges secret from family and friends
- Missing school, work or plans because of the preoccupation
- Seeking help for low mood or drinking but not the urges
What causes it
The causes of pyromania are not well understood, partly because so few people with it come forward. It is probably a mix of genes, upbringing and the way the brain handles emotions and self-control; one idea is that the parts of the brain that manage feelings and the parts that plan and weigh up consequences do not work together as well as they might. Risk seems higher in people who were abused as children, and in those with a family history of mental health, substance use or impulse control problems. Stress, boredom, conflict and low self-worth often come before urges, and the brief rush or relief that follows may help keep the cycle going. It is not a sign of being a bad person, but it does need proper help.
How it can affect your life
Pyromania puts lives at risk, including the life of the person who has it. It can lead to injury, arrest, a criminal record and prison, as well as strained relationships and lost time at school or work. Many people carry intense shame and keep their urges secret for years. Many people with pyromania also struggle with low mood, so emotional support matters as much as safety.
Treatment
There is less research on pyromania than on most conditions, but talking therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is the main treatment. CBT can help someone understand what sets off their urges, handle tension in safer ways and plan how to keep themselves and others safe. For young people, family therapy or wider family-based support may also help. A doctor may discuss medication alongside therapy, and treating any depression, substance use or other conditions is an important part of care. In the UK, your GP is the usual first step and can refer you to specialist mental health services.
Things that can help day to day
- Tell someone you trust about the urges
- Write down what you were feeling before each urge
- Find other ways to release tension, such as exercise or music
- Cut down on alcohol and drugs, which can weaken self-control
- Limit fire videos or content that feeds the urges
- Make sure your home has working smoke alarms
When to get help
If you have urges to set fires, have set fires before, or find fire taking over your thoughts, please talk to your GP soon; they are there to help, not to judge. If you think you might set a fire or anyone is in danger, call 999 straight away. If you are worried about a child or teenager, many UK fire and rescue services, including London Fire Brigade, run free schemes for young people who play with or set fires, alongside support from your GP. If you feel low or unable to cope, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.
Common questions
Is pyromania the same as arson?
No. Arson is a crime, while pyromania is a mental health diagnosis. Most people convicted of arson do not have pyromania, and fires set for money, revenge or to hide a crime do not count as pyromania. Even so, fire setting linked to pyromania can still lead to criminal charges.
Is it normal to be fascinated by fire?
Many people enjoy watching fire, and that alone is not pyromania. It becomes a concern when the interest turns into urges that are hard to resist, when tension builds and seems to need fire to ease it, or when fires are being set. If that sounds familiar, please talk to your GP.
My child is obsessed with fire. What should I do?
Take it seriously but stay calm, and avoid shaming them, as an open conversation helps more. Check your home has working smoke alarms and talk to your GP. Many UK fire and rescue services, such as London Fire Brigade, offer free, non-judgemental support for children and young people who play with or set fires.
Can pyromania be treated?
Yes. It is treatable, although many people never seek help because of shame. Talking therapy such as CBT is the main approach, and a doctor may discuss medication too. Without help it often carries on, so getting support early matters.
Further reading: Cleveland Clinic: Pyromania · Burton, McNiel and Binder (2012), Firesetting, Arson, Pyromania, and the Forensic Mental Health Expert, Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law · Grant and Kim (2007), Clinical characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity of pyromania, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry · London Fire Brigade: What is the Firesetting Intervention Scheme · ICD-11 (WHO): Impulse control disorders block 6C70 to 6C7Z, Find-A-Code listing