130024 AOG - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Fonn 1 7.2A Revised Au.ust 2021 Based on the observations made and the recollection of Mr. Norman, I determined the area of origin to be underneath the back patio. (DEVELOP HYPOTHESES) Several hypotheses were considered based on the information gathered during my investigation and examination of the fire scene. (TEST HYPOTHESES) Based on the data collected and analyzed,the following hypotheses were tested. Naturally Caused Fire The weather during the fire was not conducive to a naturally caused fire by lightning, refraction, or spontaneous combustion. This hypothesis can be ruled out. Electrical Failure or Malfunction An electrical failure can be tested and supported as a competent heat source to initiate a fire. There were wires to the west of the patio area in the crawl space.They had minimal thermal damage to the sheathing and were intact and not in the area of the most damage and appeared to be damaged due to the fire. Two lamps on the side of the house had melted off and appeared to be damaged due to the fire. The wiring was intact and not in the area of the most damage.This hypothesis can be ruled out. Discarded Smoking Materials This was a considered hypothesis; there were cigarette materials observed. The owner informed me that he was a smoker and smoked on the back patio.When asked about disposal, he could not confidently tell me where he disposed of the butts. Due to his inability to recollect how he disposed of the cigarettes,the location of most damage, and his informing that he had smoked an unknown amount of time before the fire, this hypothesis could not be ruled out. (FINAL HYPOTHESIS) Discarded smoking materials is the most probable hypothesis due to the owner being known and informing me he had smoked an unknown amount of time before the fire. Competent Heat Source Smoking materials First Material Ignited _ Ground cover under the patio Ignition Sequence Smoking materials were discarded under the patio, igniting the ground cover.This then extended to the patio. DEFINITIONS (1) V-Pattern:Per section 9.3 20.12 Fire Dynamics of V Pattern Development:Fire plumes can create angled lines of demarcation on nearby vertical surfaces, oftentimes in the shape of a V. The V-shaped pattern is created by thermal damage from the flame or fire plume,often created by a burning object on the vertical surfaces,convective or radiated heat from hot fire gases, or smoke within the fire plume.NFPA 921-2021 Edition ORIGIN Upon completing the examination of the structure by using the scientific method in accordance with NFPA 921, I was able to conclude that the fire originated under the patio on the west side of the structure. Investigator: Date: Incident Number: ^�L�l Page of 8 Justin Guinan,DFM IAAI-FIT 55i July 11^,2023 2023-00015078