OBJECTIVE
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Saving life and preventing further loss of property.
Determining the exact cause and origin of fire.
Distinguishing accidental fire from deliberate fire (arson), negligence, electrical short-circuit, industrial accident, or natural causes.
Collection and preservation of scientific evidence.
Coordination with Fire Services, Electrical Authorities, Forensic Experts, and other departments.
Conducting a professional, scientific, and qualitative investigation.
Submission of a legally sustainable final report.
KEY INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVES
A. Statement of Complainant and Witnesses
Property owner.
Occupants.
Employees.
Neighbours.
Fire Service Personnel.
B. Scientific Evidence
Fire Service Report.
FSL Report.
Electrical Inspector Report.
Expert Opinion.
C. Determination of Cause
Electrical short circuit.
Gas leakage.
Chemical reaction.
Negligence.
Mechanical failure.
Natural causes.
Intentional fire (Arson).
I. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
Ensure Fire Service personnel are informed immediately.
Arrange rescue of trapped persons.
Shift injured persons to hospital immediately.
Inform senior officers.
Secure the scene after extinguishing the fire.
Prevent unauthorized entry into the affected area.
II. REGISTRATION OF CASE
Register FIR if a cognizable offence is disclosed.
In accidental fire cases, register proceedings as per law.
Send copies of FIR to all concerned officers through online mode.
Hand over copy of FIR to complainant with acknowledgement.
Record statement of complainant in vernacular language.
III. SCENE OF OCCURRENCE INVESTIGATION
Visit the scene immediately after it is declared safe by Fire Services.
Secure and preserve the scene.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch.
Conduct Photography and Videography.
IV. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
The IO shall examine:
Complainant.
Occupants.
Neighbours.
Employees.
Security Guards.
Fire Service Personnel.
Electrical Maintenance Personnel.
Factory Supervisors (if industrial premises).
Statements shall be recorded promptly.
V. EXAMINATION OF FIRE ORIGIN
The IO shall determine:
Point of Origin
Exact location where fire started.
First material ignited.
Direction of fire spread.
Probable Cause
Electrical short circuit.
Overloading.
Gas leakage.
Welding operations.
Chemical reaction.
Careless smoking.
Open flame.
Lightning.
Negligence.
VI. COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
The IO shall seize:
Burnt electrical wires.
Switches.
Meters.
Circuit breakers.
Electrical appliances.
Gas cylinders.
Regulators.
Burnt containers.
Chemical samples.
Accelerants (if suspected).
CCTV recording systems.
All seized articles shall be properly labeled and sealed.
VII. EXPERT EXAMINATION
Fire Services Department
Obtain:
Fire Accident Report.
Cause of Fire Report.
Fire Fighting Report.
Electrical Department
Obtain:
Electrical Inspector Report.
Short Circuit Analysis Report.
Forensic Science Laboratory
Send:
Burnt materials.
Chemical residues.
Suspected accelerants.
Electrical components.
VIII. CCTV AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE
The IO shall collect:
CCTV footage from premises.
CCTV footage from neighboring establishments.
Security recordings.
Access control logs.
Alarm system records.
Analyze:
Time of fire outbreak.
Presence of suspicious persons.
Sequence of events.
IX. SPECIAL INVESTIGATION IN INDUSTRIAL FIRES
The IO shall examine:
Safety compliance records.
Fire safety certificates.
Factory licenses.
Maintenance records.
Chemical storage procedures.
Employee safety registers.
Obtain records from:
Factory Inspector.
Labour Department.
Pollution Control Board.
Fire Services Department.
X. INJURY AND DEATH INVESTIGATION
Injured Persons
Shift to hospital immediately.
Collect Medical Certificates.
Record statements when medically fit.
Death Cases
Conduct Inquest.
Send dead body for Post-Mortem Examination.
Obtain PME Report.
Obtain expert opinion regarding cause of death.
XI. NEGLIGENCE INVESTIGATION
The IO shall verify:
Violation of fire safety norms.
Illegal electrical connections.
Overloading of circuits.
Improper storage of combustible materials.
Unauthorized modifications.
Absence of fire safety equipment.
If negligence is established, appropriate legal provisions shall be invoked.
XII. ARSON ANGLE VERIFICATION
The IO shall rule out:
Insurance fraud.
Property disputes.
Business rivalry.
Revenge.
Criminal intimidation.
Sabotage.
Indicators to be examined:
Presence of accelerants.
Multiple points of origin.
Forced entry.
Suspicious movements.
Prior threats.
XIII. ARREST OF ACCUSED
If criminal negligence or intentional fire is established:
Arrest accused as per law.
Follow legal safeguards under CrPC/BNSS.
Prepare:
Arrest Memo.
Personal Search Memo.
Grounds of Arrest.
XIV. INSURANCE INVESTIGATION
The IO shall collect:
Insurance Policy.
Claim Documents.
Surveyor Report.
Property Valuation Records.
Verify:
Authenticity of claim.
Financial motive.
Prior claims.
XV. COURT PROCEEDINGS
The IO shall:
Oppose bail where necessary.
File applications through PP for:
Police Custody.
Remand Extension.
Verification of Sureties.
Maintain liaison with Public Prosecutor.
XVI. CHARGE SHEET / FINAL REPORT
The Draft Charge Sheet/Final Report shall clearly establish:
Cause of Fire
Electrical.
Chemical.
Accidental.
Negligent.
Intentional.
Scientific Evidence
Fire Service Report.
Electrical Inspector Report.
FSL Report.
Witness Evidence
Complainant.
Occupants.
Experts.
Fire Personnel.
Documentary Evidence
Safety Records.
Maintenance Records.
Insurance Documents.
Opinion of PP/APPO shall be obtained before filing.
XVII. FINAL DISPOSAL
Analyze all evidence scientifically.
Correlate witness statements with expert reports.
Establish cause and responsibility.
Submit Charge Sheet or Final Report within stipulated time.
RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER
The IO shall ensure:
Preservation of fire scene.
Scientific determination of cause.
Coordination with Fire Services and experts.
Proper collection of physical and digital evidence.
Investigation of negligence or criminal intent.
Timely submission of reports.
GOAL
To scientifically determine the cause of fire, identify any negligence or criminality involved, ensure accountability of responsible persons, prevent future incidents, and submit a legally sustainable report based on expert and scientific evidence.