Which of the following causes an arson to be aggravated?

Aggravated arson typically involves circumstances that heighten the severity of the crime, particularly when personal safety is at risk. The act of burning a barn with a farmer inside represents a clear threat to human life, making it a more serious offense than standard arson.

In this case, the presence of an individual who could potentially be harmed escalates the situation significantly. The law recognizes that endangering human life while committing arson warrants harsher penalties. Therefore, this scenario emphasizes not just the property damage involved but the potential for loss of life, which is a critical factor in distinguishing aggravated arson from regular arson.

The other scenarios involve property damage but do not include the element of endangering life to the same extent. For instance, setting a gas can on fire near an empty car presents a fire hazard but lacks the direct threat to a person. Damaging a TV in a car is a property crime without the aggravating factors associated with arson. Lastly, while burning an item valued over $150 may raise the level of the offense, it does not inherently involve a personal threat, which is a key aspect of aggravated arson.