Fire Scene Investigation - LE 354

Question 1

What should be on the Fire/Arson Text page

Answer 1

i) type of fire (vehicle, commercial, residential, industrial);

(ii) whether the property is occupied, abandoned, under construction or renovation, secure or insecure prior to the fire;

(iii) the status of the utilities, whether the utility company(s) have been notified and whether they are attending;

(iv) elements of suspected arson exist (anyone acting suspiciously or out of character, or physical evidence);

(v) whether the scene to be held and on whose authority;

(vi) whether a forensic identification assistant or Forensic Identification has been notified and/or attended;

(vii) whether photos are required or evidence is to be collected (footprints, tire tracks or any other evidence that may be related to the case);

(viii) whether a YRP Arson Investigator has been consulted or is attending;

(ix) whether the RTOC has been notified;

(x) the locations where canvass for video took place;

(xi) the attendance of media outlets;

(xii) whether the owner or key holder of the property attended and a statement was obtained;

(xiii) information regarding the insurance company and whether they have been notified;

(xiv) the names/unit numbers of the first responding firefighters and whether they have photos or evidence any noteworthy observations firefighters make in the course of their duties;

(xv) whether the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and/or attended; and

(xvi) names and statements from witnesses;

Question 2

How far should the scene be in an explosion?

Answer 2

The Office of the Fire Marshal recommends that a perimeter be set up to reach an additional 50 per cent of the distance from the furthest known debris. In calculating this, estimate the distance from the furthest known debris to the point of origin and multiply by 1.5.

Question 3

When should there be a report for a Fire?

Answer 3

i) criminal activity is suspected;

(ii) any person is injured as a result of the fire;

(iii) there is a fatality, as a result of the fire;

(iv) the damage caused by the fire exceeds $500,000;

(v) an investigator from the Office of the Fire Marshal has or will be attending the scene;

(vi) the fire involves a marijuana grow operation or clandestine drug laboratory;

(vii) the fire involves a building that is multi-unit and residentially occupied, or involves vulnerable occupancies (e.g. a senior’s home or apartment building);

(viii) the fire involved an explosion; or

(ix)the fire is of undetermined origin or circumstances (e.g. unexplained grass fires).

Question 4

What is CIB role in a fire investigation?

Answer 4

0. Members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau shall:

(a) ensure notification of the Office of the Fire Marshal has occurred for incidents meeting the criteria specified in section H. of this Procedure;

(b) conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with LE-006 Criminal Investigation Management Plan;

(c) only enter the scene if equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment, which at a minimum shall include:

(i) Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved headgear;

(ii) CSA approved rubber safety boots;

(iii) the MSA Advantage 3200 Respirator;

(iv) protective gloves and a portable radio; and

(v) an air monitor to measure gases in the structure to ensure the scene dynamics are not an immediate threat to life;

(d) have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to act as an Arson Investigator;

(e) liaise with the investigator from the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Coroner’s Office, local fire departments, representatives of the insurance industry and other investigative units of the police service as required;

(f) if necessary, ensure the Forensic Identification Unit is notified and attends the scene; and

(g) interview and acquire statements from witnesses or any involved persons

Question 5

When should Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) be notified?

Answer 5

Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) Duty Officer is notified forthwith through the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) at 1-800-461-2281 (toll free) of all incidents that meet the following criteria:

(a) fires resulting in either a fatality or serious injury requiring person(s) to be admitted as in-patient(s) to a hospital (it is the responsibility of the fire department to confirm the status of injured persons transported by ambulance prior to release of the fire scene);

(b) explosions (where the explosion is the primary event);

(c) all fires in vulnerable occupancies (i.e. retirement homes, care and treatment occupancies, and care occupancies as defined in the Fire Code);

(d) fires suspected of being incendiary and for which expert investigative assistance is required with determining cause, origin or circumstance;

(e) large loss fires, $500,000 and over or where the loss is significant to the community;

(f) fires of unusual origin or circumstances and for which expert investigative assistance is required with determining cause;

(g) fires resulting in unusual fire/smoke spread;

(h) fires involving circumstances that may result in widespread public concern (e.g. environmental hazard);

(i) fires in multi-unit residential occupancies where fire spread is beyond unit of origin or where suspected Fire Code violations have impacted on the circumstances of the event; and

(j) fires involving clandestine drug operations or marijuana grow operations.

The Fire Investigation Services section will engage in a 24/7 capacity to all reports of fatal fires, serious injury fires, explosions and fires in all vulnerable occupancies. All other reported fires under this directive will be deferred to regular business hours (7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)