What does the cryptic crossword clue "Was an arsonist I confined to school charged? (9)" mean?

The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). LIT (synonym="started a fire=") + I (synonym="direct from surface") + GATED (synonym="confined to school") = LITIGATED The answer is LITIGATED.

Was an arsonist I confined to school charged? (9)

Guardian Cryptic #29576 | 16 Down | 2024-12-27 flower

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