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Fire Cause Determination

Fire Causes

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Hot Water Heaters

• Electric water heaters almost never cause fires.

• One of the most common ignition sources of fires involving utility rooms are gas water heaters.

• Find the source of gasoline.

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Hot Water Heaters (con’t.)

• Did they just cut the grass?

• Overuse of aerosol products.

• Storing combustibles too close.

• Children playing with unit.

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Electric Heaters

• Are used in areas like garage apartments and trailers used by contractors.

• If temperature drops low enough they will come on.

• Used under sinks.

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Electric Heaters (con’t.)

• Placed against walls and other combustibles.

• A heavy load on a bad cord.

• Used with long extension cords.

• Drying clothes.

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Cigarettes

• You may find signs of carelessness.• You will not find the butt that

caused the fire.• A smoker may smoke 50/day, but,

he will know where everyone went…– “Just ask him!”

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Cigarettes (con’t)

• If you suspect smoking in bed check underside of the mattress.

• bed fires

• grass fires

• trash fires

• couches - chairs

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Cigarettes (con’t)

• In just 10 minutes smoke will appear.

• Fire will begin in approx. 30 minutes but no longer than 4 hours.

• It must be insulated.• Temperature inside padded

furniture maybe 1400-1600°F.

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Cigarettes (con’t)

• Annealing of springs used with other signs.

• Smoldering fire will be deep seated with heavy charring.

• Do not rule it out -- do not overuse.

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Exterior & Attic Fires

• Lightening 50,000°F (act of god) 200,000 amps

• Sweating pipes.

• Fireworks

• Ridding pest

• Wiring

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Exterior & Attic Fires (con’t)

• Birds, Squirrels, Rats

• Children Playing with fire.

• Arson

• Discarding ashes on porch and in outside trash can (signs of smoldering fire)

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Exterior & Attic Fires (con’t)

• Thawing pipes

• Roofers

• Removing paint with heat

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Fireplaces

• Sparks popping• logs rolling out• combustibles too close• flammable liquids too close or misuse• construction members too close to

fire box

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Heaters

• Modern central heat and air units rarely cause a fire.

• If a gas line caused the fire the occupant may mention there has been an odor of gas early in the investigation.

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Heaters (con’t)

• Space heaters– standing too close…trial by fire

– usually self correcting

• Boxes stored too close

• Drying clothes

• Toddler placed item on heater

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Heaters (con’t)

• Floor Units– Rugs

– Boxes

– Clothing falling over unit

– Hangers found on vents

– Debris build up..dust & trash

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Stove Fires

• “It come on right by itself”

• Never mind the knobs, find the pot

• The occupant was– not home– sleeping– drunk

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Stove Fires (cont)

• The occupant was (cont):– drunk and sleeping

– on the phone

– watching tv

– looking at the other fire down the street

– just purchased a new cordless phone

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Stove Fires (cont)

• “The hood light” caused it.

• “The gas stove shorted out”– “It Did” “Really”

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Bed Fires and Bedrooms

• Find the 4 year old

• If children in the house question them but do not lead them

• Fire will begin on side or under the bed

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Bedroom Fires (cont)

• A point of origin in the closet is almost always children.

• They are trying to hide to play with fire

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Other Causes

• Electric Blankets have to be folded or rolled up to start a fire

• Fans a curtain will over heat a fan

• Extension cords

• Water bed heaters

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Other Causes (cont)

• Cigarettes

• Incense

• Candles (for that special moment)