CVFD Training – Fire Cause & Origin

1. CVFD Training – Fire Cause & Origin SFFMA Training Objectives: 21-01.01 – 21-01.03

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. ARSON Definition: • The crime of maliciously setting fire to the property of another or burning one’s own property for improper purposes • Motivation of the fire setter 1.Fraud 5.Spite/revenge 2.Pyromania 6.Civil disorders 3.Crime concealment 7.Juveniles 4.Vanity (ie “hero”)

6. 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.

7. 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

8. OBSERVATIONS: EN ROUTE Things to look for include: • Time of day • Weather and natural hazards • Man-made barriers • People leaving the scene

9. 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

10. OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING • Unusual odors • Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied • Obstacles hindering fire fighting • Incendiary devices • Trailers • Structural alterations

11. OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING (cont’d) • Fire patterns • Heat intensity • Availability of documents • Fire detection and protection systems • Intrusion alarms • Location of fire

12. OBSERVATIONS: DURING FIRE FIGHTING (cont’d) • Personal possessions • Household items • Equipment inventory • Business records

13. INDICATORS OF ARSON 1. Multiple fires (more than one point of origin) 2.Trailers (combustible or flammable material that spreads the fire) • usually leaves char patterns • common trailers include: newspapers, rope, fuse cord, clothing, paper, flammable accelerants, and bldg. contents.

14. INDICATORS OF ARSON 3. 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

15. INDICATORS OF ARSON 5.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.

16. INDICATORS OF ARSON 11. 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

17. INDICATORS OF ARSON 15.Unnatural fire spread 16. Excessive fire damage 17. Evidence of extreme heat - melting of metals - discoloration of chrome or shiny metals 18. Entry of fire companies blocked 19. View into structure blocked 20. Injuries to occupants from flammable accelerants. 21. Short time between exit of occupants & fire

18. INDICATORS OF ARSON 22. 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)

19. 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.

20. 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!!!

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Can You Tell What Caused This Fire? During the Fire After the Fire Answer: Electrical

27. Can You Tell What Caused This Fire? Answer: Stained rags left in a can

28. Can You Tell What Caused This Fire? This is what happens when you try to thaw water pipes with a space heater!!!

29. Can You Tell What Caused This Fire? Arson!!!

30. 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