# How do fire investigators determine the cause of a blaze? 04-Mar-2003 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 1, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404 "2003-03-01T16:48:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![culture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/culture)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404/21 "2003-03-06T01:45:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by C K Dexter Haven \* > \*\*I take exception to the generalized tone of **culture** ’s statement, to some extent. It’s often not a question of an inability to determine the cause so much as as the expense. The insurance companies, if they have any suspicions whatsoever, are often willing to pay for a complete determination of cause if that will avoid paying a claim (for instance, because of an arsonous C&O). > > The fact is that most fires are not so “significant” that the cause cannot be determined. \*\* Please do not get me wrong, as I agree with this statement. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404/22 "2003-03-06T02:01:30Z")
I thought you probably did, **culture** , I just wanted to be clear about the context. Someone could read your post and infer that it was pretty easy to get away with arson; in fact, it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404/23 "2003-03-06T19:27:09Z")
You tell 'em **Dex** we can’t have a bunch of Boy Scouts burning up the country w/ their potato(e) chips. and Howdy **Screech** welcome…that name\surely you’re not like HIM \:eek: So, his first post and its mouse toasties, psychic messages, pyromaniacal Boys Scouts and flaming potato chips used as arsonist’s tools. Not to forget about the peanut butter and DOOR JAM sandwich I’m gonna have for lunch. Yeah, I’d say he’s found his home…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Screech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Screech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Screech)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404/24 "2003-03-06T21:09:16Z")
LOL! Nope, not that Screech. This Screech is my wonderfully smart, incredibly beautiful, hairy four-legged child. He has been our Alpha cat for the last 9 years. When he came to live with us that was the sound he made when provoked. It was just so funny because it was an awfully scary sound coming out of something that weighed about 1 pound. My husband says I sound a lot like that when I get mad so I use it as a screen name. Just kidding, I am actually a pretty laid back person (yeah, that’s what they all say right?). I have enjoyed the column for quite some time, but didn’t know there was a discussion board. Now that I do, I just need to figure out how to use it. Things are a little tougher for folks with webtv. I’ll check out some of the other threads after I try to light a few fires with potato chips, lol. With 6 cats there are no more mice around to start them for me. Screech (Elizabeth) ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404/25 "2003-03-11T18:54:06Z")
So, **culture** , got any advice for someone just starting out in the field (on the FD side)? St. Urho EMT/Firefighter [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-fire-investigators-determine-the-cause-of-a-blaze-04-mar-2003/158404.md?page=1)