Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. 3620 Horizon Drive, Suite 200 King of Prussia, PA 19406 (888) 623-1460 Telephone (610) 941-1288 Facsimile January 6, 2017 Ms. Pamela Hall Pacific Specialty Insurance Company 2995 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 150 Rancho Cordova, California 95670 Re: Insured: Joan Pfeil Subject: Status Report Claim No: 3107215 RCG File No: 47702329 Dear Ms. Hall: It was reported that a structure fire occurred at the residence of Ms. Joan Pfeil located at 288 C Malvern Court in Lakewood, New Jersey on December 21, 2016. Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. was retained to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Our work to complete this assignment was conducted by Fire Consultant Donald E. Berg, IAAI-CFI, on December 27, 2016. This report was technically reviewed by John R. Farill, IAAI-CFI, NAFI-CFEI, NAFI-CVFI, IAMI-CMI, Eastern Region Fire Manager. While performing our investigation, we employed the methodology of fire investigation using a systematic approach as recommended in the current edition of National Fire Protection 921 Guide for Fire & Explosion Investigations. Discussion On December 21, 2016, Ms. Pfeil was scheduled for a delivery and installation of a new washer and dryer purchased from P.C. Richards appliance sales. The washer and dryer were manufactured by General Electric Corporation (GE), with a model number for the dryer of GTD65EBSJ3WS and Serial Number of SG847711C. At the time of the installation, Ms. Pfeil s son, Joe Pfeil and his brother, John were home. They observed the P.C. Richards technicians remove the existing washer and dryer and proceed to connect and install the new appliances. Upon completion of the installation, the technicians returned to their delivery vehicle to put away their tools. Shortly afterwards, Joe Pfeil observed that the flexible duct located above the dryer fell and he observed fire in the ceiling area above the dryer. He went out to alert the P.C. Richards technicians. They re-entered the property and attempted to extinguish the fire
RCG File No. 47702329 Page 2 with a handheld fire extinguisher. Joe Pfeil then called 911 to report the fire. Joe Pfeil reported that the technicians tried to leave the fire scene prior to the fire department s arrival but were prevented from leaving by the local Fire Marshal and village security. The property was located in an over 55 community called Leisure Village. The structure was an attached, ground-level, single-family, wood-framed home with aluminum siding constructed on a concrete slab. The wood-framed roof was covered with asphalt shingles. The property was managed by the Leisure Village Association. The Association was responsible for the utilities and exterior of the structure. The greatest degree of fire damage occurred in the ceiling above the laundry room enclosure and adjoining bathroom located on the north side of the home (Photograph 1). The fire damaged the wood framing and wood-trusses in the ceiling of the laundry room enclosure and adjoining bathroom. The fire damaged electrical conductors and communication wires that traversed the top of the laundry room and bathroom ceiling. Prior to our scene examination, the Leisure Village Association, through their Insurance carrier, assigned Patrick McGinley Associates to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Their investigator, Mr. Lou Gahagan, photographed and documented the fire scene and placed placards on the appliances and area of fire origin. Initial observations by Mr. Gahagan and Donald E. Berg indicated that the wiring pig-tail to the dryer may have been improperly attached causing the neutral and hot (positive) leads to have switched at the connection located on the back of the dryer (Photograph 2). At this juncture we recommend placing P.C. Richards on notice and scheduling a joint examination with all parties. The electrical system within the home and the wiring of the appliance needs to be tested and inspected by a qualified Electrical Engineer. Photographs taken during our work were retained in our files and are available to you upon request. This report was prepared for the exclusive use of Pacific Specialty Insurance Company and was not intended for any other purpose. Our report was based on the information available to us at this time. Should additional information become available, we reserve the right to determine the impact, if any, the new information may have on our opinions and conclusions and to revise our opinions and conclusions if necessary and warranted.
RCG File No. 47702329 Page 3 Thank you for allowing us to provide this service. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please call. Sincerely, RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. Donald E. Berg Donald E. Berg, IAAI-CFI Fire Consultant Attachments: Photographs, CV
RCG File No. 47702329 Photograph 1 View of laundry room enclosure showing fire damage in ceiling.
RCG File No. 47702329 Photograph 2 View of rear power connection to dryer.
RCG File No. 47702329 CV
DONALD E. BERG, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFII FIRE CONSULTANT Mr. Berg is a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) with the International Association of Arson Investigators, a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) with the National Association of Fire Investigators and a Certified Fire Investigator with the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (ProBoard). Mr. Berg is a Licensed Private Investigator in the state of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He has investigated and determined the origin and cause of more than 1000 fires to include commercial structures, residential structures, marine, vehicles and heavy construction equipment. He has completed numerous educational seminars and continuing education courses in the field of fire investigation. Mr. Berg has testified on numerous occasions involving the investigation of fires in New York and Connecticut. Mr. Berg entered the field of fire service in 1981. His professional career includes thirty-three years of experience in fire suppression, building inspection, code enforcement, hazardous material, and fire and explosion investigations. He was an active member of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, New England Fire Marshals Association and a member of the Stamford Connecticut Arson Task Force. He served as a Deputy Fire Marshal and Fire Lieutenant in the City of Stamford Connecticut for more than twenty-eight years. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS State University of New York, Purchase, New York Bronze Sculpture, 1986 State of Connecticut, Meriden, Connecticut Fire Marshal Certification Program, 250 hours, 1982 Philadelphia College of Art Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Illustration, 1980 Rhode Island School of Design Providence, Rhode Island, Illustration, 1978 Certifications: International Association of Arson Investigators - Certified Fire Investigator # 23-020138 National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Instructor (CFII) State of Connecticut Certified Fire Service Instructor United States Coast Guard Aux ID # 1238260 FSO-HR SR1-12-08 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Certified Vessel Examiner United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Instructor United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Fingerprint Technician Licenses: Federal Aviation Administration - Licensed Private Pilot, Certified UAS (Drone) Operator #44620228 State of Pennsylvania Licensed Private Investigator # MD5562012 State of Connecticut-Licensed Private Investigator # FA-2508 State of New York-Licensed Private Investigator #11000154190 State of New Jersey Licensed Private Investigator # 8253 RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. OFFICES NATIONWIDE AND ABROAD
DONALD E. BERG, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFII Training: IAAI-CFIT TRAINER 113 Hours Bendix Brake School Comprehensive Air Brake Training Program, 2016 FEMA I.C.S. 200.b, 3 Hours, 2011; FEMA I.C.S. 700.a, 3 Hours, 2011 FEMA I.S. 100a, 3 Hours, 2010 Drew Eckil & Farnum, The Anatomy of an Arson Case, 6 Hours, 2009 National Association of Fire Investigators, Sarasota, Florida, Fire Investigator Instructor Certification, 8 Hours, 2008 National Association of Fire Investigators, Sarasota Florida, Advanced Fire Investigation, 16 Hours, 2008 Connecticut Fire Academy, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 5th Annual Vehicle Fire Investigation School, 40 Hours, 2005 Dr. Henry Lee Institute for Forensic Science New Haven, Connecticut Fire Investigation, 40 Hours, 2004 IAAI, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Interrogation and Statement Taking 8 Hours, 2003 International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators, Smithtown, New York, 27 th Annual In-Service Training, 24 Hours, 2002 Arnold Markle Symposium Foxwoods, Connecticut Arson / Murder, 16 Hours, 2002 IABTI Smith Town, New York Region V Terrorism Conference, 24 Hours, 2001 Connecticut State Fire Marshals Association Stratford, Connecticut Juvenile Fire Setters Conference, 8 Hours, 2001 Professional Organizations: International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 2011 Present Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. 2011 2012 National Forensic Consultants 2009 2010 PT&C Forensic Consulting Services, P.A. 1999 2012 D.B. Fire Investigations, LLC 1996 1999 Dee Insurance Investigations 1981 2008 Long Ridge Fire Department DETAILED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: RIMKUS CONSULTING GROUP, INC. 2011 PRESENT Fire Consultant Responsibilities and Duties: Fire and explosion investigation in residential, commercial, marine, vehicular and industrial fire losses. Report preparation and trial testimony as needed. Page 2
DONALD E. BERG, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFII NATIONAL FORENSIC CONSULTANTS 2011 2012 Consultant Responsibilities and Duties: Fire and explosion investigation in residential, commercial, marine, vehicular and industrial fire losses. Report preparation and trial testimony as needed. PT&C FORENSIC CONSULTING SERVICES, P.A. 2009 2010 Senior Fire & Explosion Consultant Responsibilities and Duties: Fire and explosion investigation in residential, commercial, vehicular and industrial fire losses. Report preparation and trial testimony as needed. D.B. FIRE INVESTIGATIONS, LLC 1999 2012 Private Investigator Responsibilities and Duties: Fire and explosion investigation in residential, commercial, marine, vehicular and industrial fire losses. Report preparation and trial testimony as needed. DEE INSURANCE INVESTIGATIONS 1996 1999 Private Investigator Responsibilities and Duties: Fire and explosion investigation in residential, commercial, Marine, vehicular and industrial fire losses. Report preparation and trial testimony as needed. LONG RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT 1981 2008 Firefighter 1981 1982 Responsible for performing the duties of fire fighting, emergency medical treatment, and driving fire apparatus to and from emergencies. Deputy Fire Marshal 1982 2006 (position eliminated) Responsible for origin and cause fire investigation and code enforcement under direction of Fire Marshal. Fire Lieutenant 2006 2008 Responsible for performing the duties of fire fighting, emergency medical treatment, and driving fire apparatus to and from emergencies. Page 3