The Fire 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. The investigation shall be initiated immediately upon the occurrence of the fire or explosion; and if it appears that such an occurrence is of a suspicious nature, the Fire Chief shall take charge immediately of the physical evidence, and in order to preserve any physical evidence relating to the cause or origin of that fire or explosion, take means to prevent access by any person or persons to the buildings, structure, or premises until the evidence has been properly processed. The Fire Chief shall notify the office of the State Fire Marshal pursuant to I.C. 36-8-17-7 for further investigations into these matters and shall further cooperate with that office in the collection of evidence and prosecution of the case.
(1987 Code, § 6-207) (Ord. 11, 1988, passed 7-24-1988)