Any community that has suffered a fire-related incident may contact the Fire Investigations Division for assistance. But because Texas experiences thousands of fires each year, the demand for investigation services requires a protocol that allocates the State Fire Marshal's Office resources in the most effective manner.
Catastrophic fires – fires that have resulted in death, significant property damage or pose a serious threat to public health and safety – rank highest according to the State Fire Marshal's Office investigation protocol. The protocol also includes fires believed to the work of a serial arsonist, related to hate crime, or where the operation of a vital public institution is compromised.
Based on this protocol, upon a request from an authorized entity, or by order of the State Fire Marshal, the Fire Investigations Division dispatches appropriate personnel to a fire scene to determine the fire's origin and cause, and to assist local officials in the collection and analysis of evidence that may lead to prosecution of an alleged arsonist.
At a fire scene, Fire Investigations Division personnel determine the fire's origin and cause, and assist local officials in the collection and analysis of evidence that may lead to prosecution of an alleged arsonist.