What is one factor that distinguishes aggravated arson from standard arson?

Aggravated arson is differentiated from standard arson primarily by the presence of injuries or the potential for injury to individuals. In standard arson, the act involves setting fire to property intentionally, but aggravated arson raises the severity of the crime by inflicting harm or creating a substantial risk of harm to people. This distinction is crucial in legal contexts, as aggravated arson typically carries more severe penalties due to the added danger to human life.

While other factors such as intent to defraud or the method of ignition are relevant in the broader context of fire-related crimes, they do not specifically distinguish aggravated arson. For example, intent to defraud might pertain to insurance fraud scenarios but does not inherently elevate an arson charge to aggravated arson without the component of injury or risk to individuals. Similarly, the target of the fire may vary but does not solely define the degree of arson without considering the consequences of those actions. Thus, the presence of injuries is the critical factor that clearly distinguishes aggravated arson from standard arson.