The Fire Prevention Chief shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, every fire or explosion occurring within the city that is of a suspicious nature or which involves the loss of life or serious injury or causes destruction or damage to property. Such investigation shall be initiated immediately, upon the occurrence of such fire or explosion, and if it appears that such an occurrence is of a suspicious nature, the Fire Prevention Chief shall take charge immediately of the physical evidence, and in order to preserve any physical evidence relating to the cause or origin of such fire or explosion, take means to prevent access by any person or persons to such buildings, structures or premises until such evidence has been properly processed. The Fire Prevention Chief shall notify the Office of the State Fire Marshall pursuant to I.C. 36-8-17-7 for further investigations into such matters and shall further cooperate with said office in the collection of evidence and prosecution of the case.
(Ord. 31-1988, passed 8-2-1988)