CVFD Training – Fire Cause & Origin

SFFMA Training Objectives:21-01.01 – 21-01.03

OBJECTIVES• Define the crime of arson• Identify some of the common motivational factors of

arsonists• Identify the responsibilities that the fire fighters have

which could assist in the subsequent investigation of a fire

• Identify the observations of an emergency responder while en route to an incident

OBJECTIVES (cont’d)• Describe what fire fighters should observe upon arrival at the incident

• Identify the responsibilities of fire fighters after the fire, including protecting the scene and assisting in gathering evidence of arson

OVERVIEW• The fire fighters will learn the things to look for while fighting and overhauling the fire that can assist the incident commander and the arson investigators in determining the cause of a particular fire.

• As a result, fire fighters should become more cognizant of the events they encounter while fighting the fire which may lead to a better conviction rate for the crime of arson.

ARSONDefinition:• The crime of maliciously setting fire to the

property of another or burning one’s own property for improper purposes

• Motivation of the fire setter1.Fraud 5.Spite/revenge2.Pyromania 6.Civil disorders3.Crime concealment 7.Juveniles4.Vanity (ie “hero”)

STATISTICS

• In 1995, there were 2,208 investigations of arson.• Between 1990 and 1995, 50 of the 161 fire deaths

which occurred were due to arson.• State wide, arson was the most frequent cause of all

fires in public assembly, education, store, and office properties.

RESPONSIBILITY• Although the fire chief has the legal responsibility for determining the cause of fire, he normally delegates it to others

• First-arriving fire fighters can answer important questions for investigators

• Actions of fire fighters can affect the determination of the cause of the fire

OBSERVATIONS: EN ROUTEThings to look for include:• Time of day• Weather and natural

hazards• Man-made barriers• People leaving the scene

OBSERVATIONS: UPON ARRIVAL• Time of arrival and extent of fire• Wind direction and velocity• Doors or windows locked?• Location of the fire• Containers or cans• Burglary tools• Familiar faces

OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING

• Unusual odors• Abnormal behavior of fire when water is

applied• Obstacles hindering fire fighting• Incendiary devices• Trailers• Structural alterations

OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING (cont’d)

• Fire patterns• Heat intensity• Availability of documents• Fire detection and protection systems• Intrusion alarms• Location of fire

OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING (cont’d)

• Personal possessions• Household items• Equipment inventory• Business records

INDICATORS OF ARSON1. Multiple fires (more than one point of

origin)

2. Trailers (combustible or flammablematerial that spreads the fire)

• usually leaves char patterns• common trailers include:

newspapers, rope, fuse cord, clothing, paper, flammable accelerants, and bldg. contents.

INDICATORS OF ARSON3. Prescence of flammable accelerants

may be indicated by:• charring of floors• “V” patterns in floor boards, • unusual burning of contents, • flashbacks• alligator char• flammable containers, odors, & color of smoke & flames• downward burning

4.Absence of all accidental fire causes

INDICATORS OF ARSON5.Use of common equipment/appliances

• Heating, cooking, lighting, & small appliance

6. Structural damage prior to fire

7. Removal of contents prior to fire

8. Substitution of contents

9. Contents out of place or not assembled

• beds, drawers, empty boxes, etc.

10. Major appliances removed prior to fire.

INDICATORS OF ARSON11. Absence of personal items

Business = hand tools, typewriters, cash, etc.Residential = clothing, jewelry, photos, etc.

12. Absence of important papers

13. Location of the fire

14. Evidence of other crimes in the structure

INDICATORS OF ARSON

15.Unnatural fire spread16. Excessive fire damage17. Evidence of extreme heat

- melting of metals- discoloration of chrome or shiny metals

18. Entry of fire companies blocked19. View into structure blocked20. Injuries to occupants from flammable accelerants.21. Short time between exit of occupants & fire

INDICATORS OF ARSON22. Pre-burned contents.

23. Second fire in the same structure.

24. Burned or unburned newspapers near point of origin.

25. Fires on holidays or weekends.

26. Time of day doesn’t match what burned.

27. Water heater fires. (rare)

28. Fires during renovations (money may have run out)

INDICATORS OF ARSON

29. Fires during electrical storms

30. Reported activities of owner occupant by neighbors.

31. Statements by owner/occupant

- complaints about structure

- arguments, domestic problems, etc.

RESPONSIBILITY: AFTER THE FIRE• Report all facts concerning the fire to the

officer in charge ASAP• Salvage and Overhaul are the most pivotal

operations in determining the cause• Handle debris as little as possible until

investigators have given clearance to do so!!!

HANDLING EVIDENCE

• Leave evidence undisturbed as much as possible

• Keep off the “Chain of Custody” list • Fingerprints can be lifted from more evidence

than you think is possible (charred paper, burned containers, etc.)

• Remove debris only AFTER the investigator gives the OK

HANDLING EVIDENCEcont’d)

• Avoid trampling over evidence• Avoid excessive use of water• Protect human footprints and tire marks• Protect partially burned papers• Leave charred documents found in containers

SECURING THE SCENE• Keep all non-FD personnel OUT!!• The Fire Department can bar access to any

building during fire fighting and for a reasonable length of time afterward

• Access at a later time requires owner’s permission or search warrant (Michigan vs Tyler)

• Do not allow anyone to enter a fire scene unless Oked by investigator and the person is accompanied by FD personnel

SECURING THE SCENE (cont’d)

The premises can be secured in various ways:

• Monitor entrance/exit gate w/single FF• At large scenes, use a full-time guard force

(ie engine companies)• Block windows & doors with plywood• Cordon off the area with police line tape

SECURING THE SCENE (cont’d)

• Promotes safety as well as security• Attach tape to available objects

(signs, poles, vehicles, etc)• Once in place, have law enforcement

monitor the line

Can You Tell What Caused This Fire?

During the Fire After the Fire

Answer: Electrical

Can You Tell What Caused This Fire?

Answer:Stained rags left in a can

Can You Tell What Caused This Fire?

This is what happens when you try to thaw water pipes with a space heater!!!

Can You Tell What Caused This Fire?

Arson!!!

Make the Right Call!

• At first glance, it’s difficult to distinguish between arson- and other-caused fires without farther investigation

• Fire fighters must preserve as much evidence as possible to give investigators a chance to make the right call

• Often, it is just as important to rule out an accidental fire when trying to prove arson