Investigations
If a fire can not be prevented, a clear cause
must be determined. The ability to examine a fire scene and reconstruct
the sequence of events that took place that caused a fire is part science
and part skill. Skills are used to examine burn patterns and
characteristics while science is used to analyze materials that burned
or may have failed. When put together, a clear picture of how a fire started
usually begins to take shape. It is the skilled fire investigator that
can put these two together to know who, what, how, and when a fire started.
Knowing how a fire started can provide valuable
information that can lead to safer products and process that we use daily.
Defective products can be recalled, and the public can be educated on
how best to prevent similar fires in the future.
 Some
fires may not be accidental in nature. Intentionally set fires (arson)
account for tens of thousands of fires annually. In instances where an
arson fire is suspected, Chesterfield Fire and EMS Fire Marshal's team
up with Chesterfield Police Detectives to solve the crime.
Special Units
When the size of the incident becomes complex,
the Fire Marshal's Investigation Unit, a specially equipped van, responds
to the scene. The equipment contained in this unit can conduct field tests
and sampling, as well as evidence collection and scene documentation.
The Chesterfield Fire Marshal's Office is
also a member of the Central Virginia Arson Task Force. The participating
jurisdictions are available to provide support and technical assistance
to other member jurisdictions as needed for larger scale fires.
Report Arson
If you know of a suspected arson fire in Chesterfield County, e-mail
firemarshal@chesterfield.gov,
call (804) 748-1426 or contact Chesterfield
County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers.
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Chesterfield
Fire & EMS