Fire Investigation Reports

After a major house fire, investigations are conducted to determine how the fire started and whether another party may be responsible for the loss. These investigations play a critical role in fire damage insurance claims because they determine whether the insurance company pays the full claim or pursues subrogation against another party.

There are typically two different types of investigations that occur after a fire:

• the fire marshal investigation
• the insurance company cause and origin investigation

Understanding the difference between these investigations helps homeowners understand why parts of a property may remain restricted after a fire.

The Fire Marshal Investigation

The first investigation that typically occurs after a fire is performed by the fire marshal or a local fire investigator. This investigator represents the city, town, or county where the fire occurred.

The purpose of the fire marshal investigation is to determine the origin and cause of the fire. This process often begins while the fire department is still on scene or shortly after the fire has been extinguished.

During this stage, investigators examine the area where the fire started and look for evidence that may explain how the fire began. In many cases, especially in heavily damaged structures, the official cause may be listed as undetermined.

Once the fire marshal completes the investigation, the scene may be released from the standpoint of the local authorities. However, that does not necessarily mean the property is cleared for insurance purposes.

Utility Shutoffs After a Fire

During or immediately after a fire, utility services are often shut off to protect the structure and prevent additional hazards.

This may include shutting off natural gas, disconnecting electrical service, or removing the electric meter.

The electric meter is often placed near the original location on the property rather than removed entirely. In other situations, utility crews may disconnect power from the utility pole itself.

These utility shutdowns are part of the safety procedures that occur after a fire and may affect how quickly services can be restored during the rebuilding process.

(Additional details about restoring utilities after a fire will be explained in future guides covering utility service restoration, temporary power, and post-fire property services.)

Insurance Company Cause and Origin Investigations

Even after the fire marshal investigation is complete, the insurance carrier often conducts its own cause and origin investigation.

This investigation is usually more detailed and focuses on determining exactly how the fire started and whether another party may be responsible.

These investigations are typically scheduled after the claim is reported and may involve specialized fire investigation experts who examine the fire scene in detail.

Investigators often sift through debris in the area where the fire started, examine electrical components or appliances, and analyze fire patterns within the structure.

Depending on the circumstances, this investigation may take a few days or longer before the scene is cleared.

Why Fire Investigations Are Important

The primary reason insurance companies perform cause and origin investigations is to determine whether subrogation may apply.

Subrogation occurs when an insurance company pays a claim but later seeks reimbursement from another party that may have caused the loss.

For example, if a fire was caused by a defective appliance, faulty wiring, or a malfunctioning product, the insurance company may pursue the manufacturer, installer, or another responsible party for the cost of the claim.

This is why fire investigations are often conducted carefully before demolition or debris removal begins.

When the Fire Scene Can Be Cleared

The fire scene cannot be disturbed until investigators finish their work and the insurance adjuster confirms the scene has been cleared.

It is important that any clearance to begin demolition or debris removal is documented and confirmed in writing.

Once the fire investigation is complete and the scene is officially cleared, contractors can proceed with debris removal, fire damage mitigation, and the rest of the fire damage restoration process.

Evidence Removal During Complex Fire Investigations

In some cases, investigators may remove parts of the fire scene to examine them at a laboratory or investigation facility.

This may happen when the fire appears to involve an appliance, electrical component, battery device, or other product that could lead to a subrogation claim.

If investigators remove items from the scene, those materials should be documented and inventoried. Even though the materials are being examined for investigative purposes, they may still be part of the homeowner’s personal property claim.

Once evidence has been removed and investigators complete their analysis, the scene can be cleared and demolition and mitigation can proceed.

How Fire Investigations Affect Claim Timelines

Fire investigations can influence how quickly a fire damage claim moves forward.

If investigators complete their work quickly and clear the scene, fire mitigation and debris removal can begin shortly afterward.

However, if investigators need to continue examining the fire scene on the property, the start of mitigation work may be delayed until the investigation is finished.

Once the scene is officially cleared, the claim can move forward into the demolition, estimating, and rebuilding stages of the fire claim process.

Learn More at ClaimHelpMe.com

This page explains the basics of how this part of the insurance claim process works.

However, inside ClaimHelpMe.com, homeowners can access real repair estimates, detailed examples, and step-by-step explanations showing how claims are documented, evaluated, and presented to insurance carriers.

The free content explains the fundamentals.
The ClaimHelpMe platform shows how the process actually works.

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About the Author

Mark Grossman is a Licensed Public Adjuster and NASCLA Certified Contractor with 28 years in the restoration insurance industry and 35 years in construction.

Learn more → Mark Grossman