Fire Causation

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Fire Causation

Fires can be caused by a wide range of circumstances: human activity, unique climatic conditions, electrical hazards, and improper storage or handling of flammable materials. To help you narrow down information about the event, we analyze the fire through its four stages: ignition, growth, full development, and decay.

Forensic engineering in fire causation refers to the practice of using engineering principles to analyze a fire scene and determine the most likely cause of a fire by examining physical evidence like burn patterns, damage patterns, material analysis, and electrical systems, with the goal of identifying the ignition source and contributing factors that led to the fire incident; this information is often crucial for legal proceedings, insurance claims, and preventing future fires.

What is a Fire Investigation?

Fire investigators examine the scene of a fire to determine if the cause of the fire was accidental or deliberate. Burn patterns may help indicate the area of origin and the course of the fire. Physical evidence can be collected and analyzed to support the investigator in arriving at a determination—for example, the presence of ignitable liquid residues, or tampered or damaged utilities, could indicate foul play.

Key aspects of forensic engineering in fire causation:
  • Analyzing fire patterns:

    Examining the shape, depth, and direction of burn patterns on surfaces to pinpoint the origin of the fire. 

     
  • Examining electrical systems:

    Inspecting wiring, appliances, and electrical outlets for potential faults or overheating that could have sparked a fire. 

     
  • Material analysis:

    Identifying the materials present at the fire scene and analyzing how they burned to understand the fire’s progression. 

     
  • Structural assessment:

    Evaluating damage to building structures to determine the fire’s intensity and potential contributing factors like structural weaknesses. 

Common causes of fires investigated by forensic engineers:
  • Accidental ignition sources: Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, malfunctioning appliances, open flames, heat sources 
     
  • Intentional ignition (arson): Deliberate setting of a fire using accelerants 
     
  • Chemical reactions: Improper storage or handling of flammable chemicals 
     
  • Combustion issues: Improper fuel-air mixture, malfunctioning fuel systems 
     
 
Important considerations in fire causation investigations:
  • Fire dynamics: Understanding how heat, oxygen, and fuel interact to influence fire spread and behavior 
     
  • Evidence preservation: Properly collecting and documenting physical evidence from the fire scene 
     
  • Expert testimony: Presenting findings in a clear and concise manner to explain the cause of the fire in legal proceedings 

The cause of a fire can be accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined. Some common causes of fires include: 

 
  • Cooking: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires. A pot or pan that overheats or splatters grease can quickly start a fire. 
     
  • Candles: Inattentive use of candles can cause a fire. 
     
  • Electrical equipment: Faulty or old equipment, overloaded sockets, or imperfect wiring can cause sparks or overheating, which can lead to fire. 
     
  • Heating equipment: Heating equipment can cause fires. 
     
  • Careless smoking: Careless smoking can cause fires. 
     
  • Children playing with fire: Children playing with fire can cause fires. 
     
  • Wildfires: Humans are responsible for about 90% of wildfires, with 30% being intentional arson and 70% being accidental or careless. 
Fire needs three elements to ignite and sustain: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Oxygen helps break down fuel molecules into smaller combustible compounds, which releases energy and heat. 
 
Fire investigators can collect and analyze physical evidence to determine the cause of a fire. For example, the presence of ignitable liquid residues or damaged utilities could indicate foul play. 

Facts on Fire

Fire in the United States

  • The U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world.
  • About 5,000 people die every year in this country as the result of fire, and another 25,500 are injured.
  • About 100 firefighters are killed annually in duty-related incidents.
  • Each year, fire kills more Americans than all other natural disasters combined.
  • Fire is the 3rd leading cause of accidental death in the home – at least 80% of all fire deaths occur in residences.
  • More than 2 million fires are reported each year. Many others go unreported, causing additional injuries and property loss.
  • Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $9.4 billion annually.

Causes of Fires and Fire Deaths

  • Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of fire injuries. Cooking fires often result from unattended cooking and human error, rather than mechanical failure of stoves or ovens.
  • Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke detectors and smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents.
  • Heating is the 2nd leading cause of residential fires and ties with arson as the 2nd leading cause of fire deaths. However, heating fires are a larger problem in single family homes than in apartments. Unlike apartments, the heating systems in single family homes are often not professionally maintained.
  • Arson is the 3rd leading cause of residential fires and a leading cause of residential fire deaths. In commercial properties, arson is the major cause of deaths, injuries, and dollar loss.

Who is Most at Risk

  • Senior citizens and children under the age of 5 have the greatest risk of fire death.
  • The fire death risk among seniors is more than double the average population.
  • The fire death risk for children under age 5 is nearly double the risk of the average population.
  • Children under the age of 10 accounted for an estimated 20% of all fire deaths in 1995.
  • Over 30% of the fires that kill young children are started by children playing with fire.
  • Men die or are injured in fires twice as often as women.

What Saves Lives

  • A working smoke alarm dramatically increases a person’s chance of surviving a fire.
  • Approximately 90% of U.S. homes have at least 1 smoke alarm. However, these alarms are not always properly maintained and as a result might not work in an emergency. There has been a disturbing increase over the last 10 years in the number of fires that occur in homes with non-functioning alarms.
  • It is estimated that over 40% of residential fires and 60% of residential fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms.
  • Residential sprinklers have become more cost effective for homes. Currently, few homes are protected by them.

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Fire Causation FAQ’s?

What are the 3 main causes of fire?
Lack of attention when cooking; careless placement of items near the stove. Inattentive use of candles. Accidents involving gas, propane and solvents.
What causes 90% of all fires?
Whilst they can start naturally, see Information note - Wildfire, it is estimated that 90% of all wildfires across the globe are caused by humans. About 30% of those are started as a deliberate act of arson, whilst 70% are started accidentally or as a direct result of human carelessness.
How do they determine the cause of a fire?
Burn patterns may help indicate the area of origin and the course of the fire. Physical evidence can be collected and analyzed to support the investigator in arriving at a determination—for example, the presence of ignitable liquid residues, or tampered or damaged utilities, could indicate foul play.
What is a root cause analysis for fires?
Root cause analysis provides a tool for gaining further detailed insights into the causes of the fire event with particular attention to the identification of plant design, operation, surveillance, maintenance, training, procedures and policies which must to be improved to prevent repetition.
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