Fire Investigation
CFA has a statutory responsibility to determine the cause and origin of all fires that it attends.
Fire investigation is the thorough examination of a fire event, and starts from the time an emergency call is raised.
Why Investigate a Fire?
Fire Investigation has three main objectives:
- Establishing the cause
and origin of a fire
- Determining the presence of any criminal activity or
neglect
- Obtaining accurate information for further analysis
This information assists CFA's maintenance of accurate data, and the development of fire suppression and fire prevention strategies.
Strategies may include:
Who Investigates Fires?
CFA has trained Fire Investigators who examine
structure, vehicle and wildfires. They attend
fire-scenes throughout Victoria particularly
where:
- There has been a fatality or significant injury
- The fire is considered significant
- The fire is considered suspicious
- The cause of the fire is not readily apparent
- CFA property is involved
CFA Fire Investigators work closely with the following agencies:
- State Coroner's Office
- Victoria Police - Criminal Investigation Units
- Victoria Police Arson & Explosives Squad
- Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre
- Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE)
- Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFESB)
- Energy Safe Victoria - Electrical
- Energy Safe Victoria - Gas Safety
- Victorian WorkCover Authority
Arson
Ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to report any suspicious behaviour.
Bushfire arson can have a devastating impact on the community and the environment.
It has the potential to seriously injure or kill people along with causing significant damage and destroying property, wildlife and livestock.
The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire is 15 years imprisonment.
How You Can Help – Before the Fire
Be observant in your local area.
Can you identify a person, or vehicle, you observed near the area where a bushfire occurred, or do you know of someone who has been lighting fires?
If you believe a person, or vehicle, is behaving in a suspicious manner write down the details. If you record the details straight away the more accurate they are likely to be, and the more helpful the information will be to Police.
For vehicles, record details such as the:
- Registration
- Make
- Colour
- Any damage to the vehicle
For individuals, record details such as:
- Gender
- Age
- Height
- Hair colour
- Build
- Facial hair
- Clothing
If so, you can confidentially call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file an online ‘Information Report’ via the Crime Stoppers website
How You Can Help – After the Fire
If a fire affects your neighbourhood, try to:
- Note the description of any people who have entered or left the scene before the fire started.
- Note the description of any vehicles entering or leaving the scene before the fire started
- Note any activity in the area prior to the fire starting, such as camping, firewood collecting, bushwalkers etc.
- Remember the time and location where you first observed the fire.
- Pass this information onto Police, or anonymously to CRIME STOPPERS via 1800 333 000.
If you see something, if you know something, say something - Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
Download the Crimestoppers Arson brochure - pdf 586k
Further Information:
See the Victorian Fire Investigation Policy & Procedures - pdf 487k to learn more about the investigation process or visit the 'Your Home' section for more detail on how to prevent a house fire.
