Fire Department Arson Unit. Investigation Report

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1 Fire Department Arson Unit Investigation Report RE: Structure Fire, 1234 Example Street 8/1/ Hrs August 1, 2004 Summary This fire was investigated by the Fire Department Arson Unit. Investigator responded to the scene and conducted a comprehensive fire cause investigation. The investigation consisted of an examination of the fire scene, witness interviews and documentation with photographs. The cause of the fire was determined to be: An intentional incendiary act. This intentional act led to the ignition of the exterior and interior of the building, the interior contents of Bar and caused damage that led to the ultimate failure of the shared electrical distribution panel that supplied electricity to several other tenant occupied spaces within the same building. There are at least two individuals being considered as suspects. Interviews and investigations into their activities is currently in process. A comprehensive fire investigation report was completed and follows this cover letter. This case remains open pending the arrest of responsible parties for the crimes involved. Captain Fire Department Arson Unit

2 Department Arson Unit Investigation Report Report Date: 08/1/04 Incident Date: 08/1/04 Time of call: 0314 Hrs Incident Type: Structure Fire (2 nd Alarm) Incident Location: 1234 Example Street Bar SJFD Case #: SJPD Case #: F12345 P Investigator Notification & Response: I was assigned to this fire on August 1, 2004 at 0725 hours. I arrived on scene at 0812 hours. I met with Captain who requested that I do a fire origin and cause investigation Fire Scene and Fireground Activities: 2.10 Weather The weather in the area at the time of my investigation was sunny and clear. There was no measurable wind and adjacent streets and rooftops were dry. I consulted with firefighters on scene who told me that there had been a light breeze ( < 3 mph ) out of the North at the time of the fire Fireground Activities At the time that I arrived, fire suppression personnel were overhauling smoldering fire debris and placing fire equipment back into service. I spoke to Capt. which was the first fire department unit to arrive at the fire scene. He provided me with the following information: He said that when he arrived on scene Engine approached on the North side of the building and parked just north of the rear driveway to. He told me that when he got off the fire engine and sized up the fire scene, fire was burning with great intensity around the two rear doors to as well as coming out of the large utility area to the west of the rear doors

3 He told me that the first attack line for this portion of suppression was directed at the utility area and at the rear doors. He said that after his crew had quickly knocked down the exterior portion of the flames, he directed them to advance into the interior of the building. He said that the crew was able to force open the rear doors and enter while advancing the hose. He told me that they were able to extinguish the interior portion of the fire without incident. I asked him if he saw or smelled anything out of the ordinary and he replied that he had not. He told me that there was no indication of doors or windows being forced open prior to fire department arrival Building Description & Condition The building involved in the fire is a single story commercial building laid out in a traditional stripmall configuration. The front of the building faces Street, with on the extreme left (west) side of the complex. The occupancy immediately to the east of XXXXX was vacant at the time of the fire. Other tenants in the complex included a convenience store, a pawn shop and other businesses. The exterior of the building was constructed using wood and stucco. The front door of the business faces south on Street. The rear doors face North and exit onto a private parking lot. The building was equipped with a basement. The roof of the building is flat. It was constructed of metal over wooden rafters Power Service: The electrical service for the building enters via aboveground service to a meter located at the Northwest side of the building inside a utility area within the walls of the building. The main circuit breaker was found in the on position. An electrical sub-panel was located in the same utility area. At the time of my investigation, all breakers on the sub panel were found in the on position. Both the mains and the sub panel breakers had suffered heavy damage from the fire. Gas service provided by underground P.G. E service lines was plumbed to a shut-off point and meter located in the same utility area as the electrical service. At the time of my examination, the gas service was found in the off position

4 2.50 Fire Protection and Detection Systems The building was not equipped with automatic fire sprinklers. The building was not equipped with a locally indicating or remotely monitored fire detection system FIRE SCENE EXAMINATION 3.10 Exterior After I had arrived and met with fire suppression personnel on-scene, I walked around the exterior of the building. The following burn indicators were clearly visible from outside the structure: Smoke/heat staining/damage around doors and windows leading to Bar. Excessive charring damage around rear entrance doors. Fire damage within the building visible through exterior doors and windows I examined the above burn indicators and found that there was conflict as to whether the fire had originated outside the structure or within the structure itself Interior I entered the building through the front door. As I entered the interior of the building I could see indications that a fire had obviously occurred within the building. These indications include: Smell of smoke Visible smoke damage/staining within the interior. Evidence of excessive heat damage Indications of direct flame contact/impingement on interior contents and structural members I followed the damages within the building from where I witnessed the least damages to an area where the damages appeared to be the heaviest

5 The area displaying the most overall damages was in the rear exit area closest to the rear parking lot. This area will be referred to as the Area of Origin. Damages in this area were almost equally divided between the area outside the doors as well as inside the rear foyer Area of Origin I examined the contents in the Area of origin. Major contents located in this area included (but were not limited to) Two exterior entry doors Interior doors Wooden structural members Wooden architectural pieces Wooden interior baseboards Exterior walls surrounding entrance doors 3.22 Burn & Char Indicators within the Area of Origin I examined the above items from the Area of Origin. I noted the following indicators supporting my findings that identify this is as the Area of Origin. Items surrounding the area of origin displayed a level of damage that was generally less than the areas defined as the Area of Origin. Closed interior doorways surrounding the area of origin displayed a clear demarcation of the degrees of fire related damage. Low burning areas extending to the floor, both to the interior and the exterior of the entrance doors. The foam cores of the metal clad exterior doors were completely consumed Point of Origin Within the Area of Origin, a specific location was determined to have been the point of origin. The point of origin was determined to have been located directly at the exterior base of the two rear entrance doors. Burn and char patterns suggested that the fire breached the doors early in the progression of the event. Major contents located in this area included (but are not limited to) Two foam core metal clad entrance doors

Exterior siding A rubber backed mat (rug) below and in front of the doors.

40 Burn Indicators Nearest the Point of Origin: The following burn/char indicators, which are documented with photographs support my findings

the doors at ground level. This damage was photographed and is clearly depicted in the following photograph.

6 Exterior siding A rubber backed mat (rug) below and in front of the doors. (exterior) A fibrous backed mat (rug) located directly inside the entrance doors. (Interior) 3.40 Burn Indicators Nearest the Point of Origin: The following burn/char indicators, which are documented with photographs support my findings of this area/point of origin: Both metal clad entrance doors displayed damage as a result of extreme heat being applied to the exterior of the doors at ground level. This damage was photographed and is clearly depicted in the following photograph. Charring to exterior wooden architectural members surrounding the entrance doors extended to the ground. This degree of charring was not consistent with an exposure-only situation where other fuels would provide the fuel package to cause this degree of damage. The opposing surfaces - 6 -

(entrance doors) were metal clad and would not be responsible for this degree of

40 Burn Indicators Nearest the Point of Origin: (continued) Burn and char

position and spreading upwards and outward as opposed to drop-down or radiant

7 (entrance doors) were metal clad and would not be responsible for this degree of damage at this low elevation Burn Indicators Nearest the Point of Origin: (continued) Burn and char indicators on the exterior walls were consistent with a fire rising from a low position and spreading upwards and outward as opposed to drop-down or radiant heat caused damage. Staining to the non-combustible brick pavers in an area surrounding the exterior door mat. See following photo: - 7 -

8 3.50 Evidence of Ignition Delay Smoldering State Quick Ignition Examination of glass and other similar surfaces in the area showed signs of light sooting and an absence of other heavily heated deposits. This is consistent with a fire that ignited quickly as opposed to smoldering for a long period of time prior to breaking into open flaming combustion. I observed no other signs that suggested that this fire smoldered for a long period of time Rate of Fire Spread Area of Origin: The burn indicators in the area of origin were not consistent with a normally progressing fire using the expected fuel load of a commercial structure. Burn and char indicators in the area of origin were low to the ground in a wide area as opposed to rising out of any single location. Charring in the area(s) was uniformly deep in the area surrounding the entrance doors, with large horizontal structural members providing the line of demarcation where the degree of char diminished and began to progressively lessen. These indicators are more indicative of an accelerated and fast spreading fire in the area of origin as opposed to a fire that begins and spreads under the normal flame spread characteristics of the native fuel load. This area was completely covered with plastic tarping to reduce the off-gassing of any potential liquid accelerants in the area until the area could be worked with a specific detection device to observe for trace remnants of any possible liquid accelerants. Remote from area of origin In areas remote from the origin, a clear demarcation of charring was present supportive of a fire that was burning in a specific direction with a relatively normal rate of progression. The burn indicators present were supportive of a fire that was spreading in such a pattern as would be expected considering the normal transfer of heat through convection. These burn indicators are consistent with a fire with a single area of origin, where the fire progresses away from the origin following known and predictable routes of travel Fire Behavior/Fuel Load: As was discussed in section {3.60} above, fire behavior at the area of origin was not consistent with expected fuel loads in the same area. This fire appears to have been accelerated. Fire behavior in areas remote from the area of origin appeared to progress in a more natural, expected manner. Fuel loading in the building at the time of the fire appeared to be normal for the business. There were no accumulations of any materials visible

9 4.00 EXAMINATION OF POTENTIAL IGNITION SOURCES The following items were considered and examined as potential heat sources for the ignition of this fire: Electrical Service 4.10 Electrical Service Entrance & Distribution Panel(s): The building s main electrical service entrance and meters were examined. The building had numerous electrical sub-panels. I examined the panel(s) and found that they appeared to be complete and consistent with similar service panels in the area. No modifications to the panel were noted that violated electrical codes nor presented any gross safety hazards. Overcurrent protection was provided via circuit breakers. Damage to the main panels, subpanels and associated wiring appeared to have been the result of fire progressing toward the electrical components as opposed to originating in any of the electrical components and spreading outward. Individual circuit breakers were examined. Damage to circuit breakers was even and consistent. No individual circuit breakers displayed excessive damage beyond that of adjacent circuit breakers. The wiring within the service panel and sub panel was examined for sites of defective circuitry which could have produced temperatures sufficient to initiate this fire. No indication was discovered to support that the fire originated from an electrical shorting or arcing condition in the service panels and or sub panel. The electric meter panels (mains) and sub panels examined were eliminated as a contributing cause to the ignition of this fire Branch circuitry: Within the area of fire origin, the building s branch circuitry which provided power to switches, lighting fixtures, electrical outlets and associated loads was examined. Burn/char patterns clearly showed that any progression of the fire near these items was clearly the result of flame spread toward the branch circuitry including switches/outlets/lighting fixtures, etc. as opposed to originating from within any one or combination of them. Burn and char patterns examined in these areas were not consistent with a fire that originated in the immediate area of any of the branch circuitry. There was no indication that any of the building wiring was a contributing factor in the ignition of this fire. The building wiring was eliminated as a cause of this fire

10 4.12 Appliances & Temporary Appliance Cord Wiring: The following electrical appliances were located within the area of origin: None 4.13 Extension Cord Wiring: There were no extension cords located within the area of origin. Gas Service 4.20 Gas Distribution Plumbing: The main inlet for the building s natural gas supply is located just to the west of the rear entrance doors. None of the gas plumbing, including the meter, displayed any gross defects or signs of problems prior to the ignition of the fire. The gas distribution system was eliminated as a contributing factor in the ignition of this fire Gas appliances: There were no natural gas fueled appliances in the area of origin. Gas appliances were eliminated as contributing factor in the ignition of this fire Chimneys & Appliance Flues There were no chimneys or appliance flues within the area of origin. Chimneys and flues were eliminated as a contributing factor in the ignition of this fire

11 4.40 Candles, Incense, Religious Shrines The building was examined for indicators of use of candle, incense or religious shrine materials. There was no evidence of any candles, incense, or religious shrines. The area of origin was specifically examined for remnants of any of the above types of materials and none were discovered. The burn and char indicators present did not support a fire origin related to this type of materials. Candles, incense and religious shrines were eliminated as a contributing factor in the ignition of this fire Smoking Materials The building and it s immediate surrounding area was examined for signs of smoking materials having been used and carelessly discarded. Although there was evidence of smoking materials being used in the parking lot area, there was no indication that smoking materials were used in the area of the building itself. Carelessly discarded smoking materials were eliminated as a contributing factor in the ignition of this fire Incendiary devices and Intentional Causes There were no remnants or indicia discovered of any type of mechanical incendiary devices having been involved in the initiation or burning of this fire. The area of origin was specifically examined for remnants of glass bottles, timing devices, or solid fueled substances not native to the specific location. However, burn patterns discovered in the area were consistent with a fire that may have been accelerated by any combination of combustible or flammable liquids. A specially trained hydrocarbon detection canine assigned to the Police Department was requested and arrived on-scene at approximately 1325 hours. The canine (named ) was handled by Police Department Sergeant. is specially trained to alert to the presence of specific hydrocarbon based liquids. These liquids include gasoline, diesel, kerosene, paint thinner, and many others. alerted to the presence of one or more of these liquids in several locations both outside and inside the rear entrance doors. In one location on the interior side of the entrance doors, alerted to a small pile of debris approximately 6 tall. The pile consisted of dropped ceiling tiles, Ceiling t-bar metal, and burned remnants of both structural and architectural materials. In an effort to identify the material that was alerting to, the pile was carefully layered and spread out. xxx then alerted to an area under the pile and closest to the floor. When that area was lifted up, it was discovered to be a burn and melted remnant of a fiber backed carpet or mat. Upon lifting this mat, a smell that was extremely strong and resembling that of ordinary automobile gasoline fuel was clearly present. See section {5.0} Evidence below for the disposition of these areas

12 5.0 EVIDENCE 5.10 Seized and Stored The following items of evidence were taken from the scene: Item # Description Destination 1 Burned fire debris taken from outside the rear entrance doors. Sealed in Kapak fire debris bag. 2 Burned fire debris taken from outside the rear entrance doors. Sealed in Kapak fire debris bag. 3 Burned fire debris taken from inside the rear entrance doors. Sealed in Kapak fire debris bag. 4 Burned fire debris (Carpet) taken from outside the rear entrance doors. Sealed in Kapak fire debris bag. 5 Burned fire debris (Carpet) taken from inside the rear entrance doors. Sealed in Kapak fire debris bag. 6 VHS type video tape and time lapse recorder found in basement office of XXX (only the video tape was booked as evidence. The time lapse recorder was returned to owner) County Crime Lab County Crime Lab County Crime Lab County Crime Lab County Crime Lab Police Department Property Storage 5.20 Retained at scene The following evidence was located at the fire scene and identified as a possible heat source which may have been involved in the ignition of this fire. No evidence was retained at the scene

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14 5.30 Evidence Examined Prior to booking item # 6 above into property storage facility, I hand carried the video tape cassette to the. video unit and asked them to create a duplicate copy for my review.. Video/Multimedia Producer assisted me in duplicating the original tape. During the duplication process, I was able to view the contents of the tape recording. The tape consists of a four camera quad or quadrant recording showing the output of four individual cameras on one single screen. This quad recording gives the viewer the ability to watch both sides of the bar, as well as the inside of the front and rear doors at the same time. Clearly visible on the rear door camera is the ignition of the fire. The first visible indication is a flickering outside the rear doors, which may have been the result of a fire beginning to burn through the rear entrance doors. Approximately 2 to 3 seconds after the flickering is first seen, a large fireball ignites in the rear foyer area directly inside the rear doors. The initial ignition of the fire is so violent and large that it appears to overcome the ability of the camera to adjust to the sudden light intensity and it shows up as an entire white screen. About 1 second later, either the fire s intensity reduces or the camera adjusts to the light level and a fire with a very clear line of demarcation is seen to be burning from the floor area next to the doors. Within a few moments, the fire is seen to grow in intensity as smoke and heat begin to spread outward in all directions from the area of the foyer. A few more moments pass and the camera falls from the ceiling as the ceiling s t-bar structure begins to fail allowing the suspended ceiling and the camera to fall with it. Within a few seconds of the camera hitting the floor, the entire video system fails. The view from one of the bar cameras parallels the rear door camera view, with a much wider angle. The opposite bar and the front door camera display varying degrees of smoke before the system stops recording. The burning dynamics observed on the video tape are clearly representative of a liquid accelerated fire in it s early stages. A conclusion as to the time difference between the original ignition of the exterior fire and the sudden ignition of the interior fire has not been reached as of the writing of this report. A supplementary report specifically dealing with the analysis of the quad video tape will be completed after the tape has been more thoroughly examined. 6.0 INTERVIEWS I did not conduct any interviews at the fire scene. See reports of Captain and Special Agent for documentation of their interviews

15 7.0 CAUSE and CONCLUSION The totality of the investigation indicates that this fire resulted from the intentional ignition of a yet unidentified liquid accelerant. Person(s) unidentified poured or caused to be poured, a liquid accelerant that [prior to ignition] flowed under the doorway and into the interior of the rear entrance foyer area. The liquid on the exterior of the building was ignited first, which in turn led to the ignition of the interior liquid, which then led to the severe destruction of the building and it s contents. This conclusion is the result of my examination of the fire scene, the physical evidence, victim and/or witness statements and my evaluation of all possible fire causes. This case will remain open pending the identity of person(s) responsible for this fire. Submitted by, Arson Investigator, CFI Fire Department Arson Unit

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FIRE INVESTIGATION & FORENSICS UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC 2015 2 1893 Chicago World s Fair The Chemistry of Fire The FIRE TRIANGLE represents the three elements needed for fire to occur: