Graphic version of this page

Home > About Us > Departments & Functions > Fire Safety & Community Relations - Support - Fire Investigation
Text only

The West Yorkshire Fire Investigation Section is based at Fire Service Headquarters and is attached to the Fire Safey Support Department.

Fire Investigation comprises of 9 Station Managers and 4 Watch Managers, plus administrative support, and provides 24 hour / 365 day availability as required.

We investigate the cause of fire in a variety of different types of incidents. These include: large fires, fires where the cause cannot be immediately determined, and fires where people may have been injured or have unfortunately died.

We work closely with the Police, other Brigades and organisations such as insurance companies, when investigating fires. They also work on special projects including arson reduction policies and strategies, human behaviour in fire, the main causes of fire, and the compilation of any information to identify trends in fire causes. This information is vital when we undertake targeted initiatives and campaigns relating to the education of fire safety awareness.

Station Managers are also regularly called to give witness evidence at Civil, Criminal (Magistrates and Crown) and Coroners Court.

Fire Investigation Mobilising Critieria

A member of the Fire Investigation Team will be automatically mobilised to the following types of incidents: -

• ALL Fatalities or incidents likely to prove fatal.
• ALL Serious injuries from fire.
• ALL First alarm fires and above. (Where 4 or more appliances attend)
• At the request of the incident commander.
• To premises where there has been more than one attendance to a fire in the same premises within a 24 hour period.

One appliance will await at the incident until the arrival of the Fire Investigation Officer.

Levels Of Fire Investigation

Fire Investigation in the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service may be carried out at three levels dependant upon the circumstances surrounding the fire:-

Level 1 - This is normally the Incident Commander or an Officer on the pre-determined attendance nominated by him. This will cover the majority of fires attended by the Brigade and should be used where the cause of the fire is obvious and can be arrived at without excessive delay of operational crews and appliances.

Level 2 - This is a Fire Investigation Officer who has attended the Gardiners or Moreton fire investigation course. There are twelve Station Managers Fire Investigators who are conditioned to the flexible duty system. There is also a Fire Investigation Officer conditioned to the day duty system who handles Fire Investigation calls during the day and is the dog handler.

Level 3 - This is a Station Manager Fire Investigation Officer who has undertaken a masters degree in fire and forensic investigation. This is a regional team of which West Yorkshire has three level 3 officers, South Yorkshire and Humberside has three and North Yorkshire has two.

Contact Details

Station Manager - Fire Investigation

01274 655829

Policy / Procedure Documents

Fire Investigation Policy

Fire Investigation Protocol (West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority)

Memorandum Of Understanding (West Yorkshire Police)

Regional Fire Investigation Policy

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility | Access Keys | Search Site