Investigations Unit

The Fire Investigations Unit, part of the Law Enforcement Bureau of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is comprised of the Chief of Investigations and four fire investigators. Each investigator holds, at a minimum, certification as a Fire Investigation Technician and all attend numerous trainings and seminars annually. Additionally, all members are sworn law enforcement officers with statewide jurisdiction who may initiate criminal proceedings for violations of the general laws insofar as the laws relate to fires, fire prevention, fire investigations, and explosions.

Fire investigators are authorized by statute to respond to any fire or apparently attempted fire and investigate the cause or origin of the fire. They also respond to every fire of suspicious origin and any fire that results in a fatality. The Unit responds to approximately 300 incidents per year. Investigators follow the “scientific method” and industry guidelines, such as NFPA 921, to establish the cause and determine whether the fire will be classified as accidental, incendiary, natural, or undetermined. Due to the complex nature of fire investigation, members often work closely with other local, state, and federal agencies.