Arsonist

Someone who sets fires for hire, skilled at making combustion appear spontaneous.

“‘We are poor people,’ the macher said, apologetically. ‘God loves the poor people but he helps the rich. The insurinks companies are rich. They take away your money and what they give you? Nothing. Don’t feel sorry for the insurinks companies.’ He proposed a fire. He would make it swiftly, safely, economically—guaranteed to collect. From his pocket he produced a strip of celluloid. ‘You know what is this?’ Morris, staring at it, preferred not to say. ‘Celluloy,’ hissed the macher. He struck a large yellow match and lit the celluloid. It flared instantly. He held it a second then let it fall to the counter, where it quickly burned itself out. With a poof he blew away nothing. Only the stench remained, floating in air.”

Bernard Malamud, The Assistant (1957).