The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PYROMANIA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
P
Y
R
O
M
A
N
I
A
More clues leading to the result PYROMANIA
- A desire to burn borders of pretty country
- I pray, forlornly, about sultanate’s burning desire?
- Burning desire to see extremely pretty country
- Obsession that keeps one going to matches?
- Burning desire
- Drive to light and extremely pretty country
- With irony Ma and Pa get mixed up with criminal tendency
- Extreme policy — state impulse to light …
- Burning obsession of European republic supporting gutless policy
- Round Arabian land I pray troublesome arsonist’s failing
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "A desire to burn" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a desire to burn = pyromania.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PYROMANIA mean?
PYROMANIA noun- A compulsive disorder characterised by obsession with fire or uncontrollable urges to start fires.