§ 16-58. Investigation of fires.

(a)

A fire department serving the town shall investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of every fire occurring in the town which is of suspicious nature or which involves loss of life or injury to persons or by which property has been destroyed or substantially damaged. Such investigations shall begin immediately upon the occurrence of such a fire by the fire officer in whose district the fire occurs, and if it appears that such fire is of suspicious origin, the chief of the fire department shall take charge immediately of the physical evidence, shall notify the proper authorities designated by law to pursue the investigation of such matters and shall further cooperate with the authorities in the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of the case.

(b)

Appropriate law enforcement agencies, upon request of the chief of the fire department, may assist in the investigation of any fire which, in the opinion of the chief of the fire department, is of suspicious origin.

(Prior Code, § 5-2-6)