Country Fire Authority (CFA)Rescue and Recovery
Warnings & Advice Information Hotline Community Meetings
Total Fire Bans Fire Restrictions Can I or Can't I Fire Danger Period
Volunteering Career Firefighting Lateral Entry Positions Vacant CFA Medals
What we do Our Structure Locations History Fire Star Training Equipment Funding Strategic Direction Supporting CFA
Your Home Summer Fire Safety Farms and Property Building a Home Community Programs Check your Hot Spots
Dangerous Goods Emergency Plans False Alarms Farms and Property Fire Equipment Forest Industry Gas Safety Inspections Training
Fire Prevention Roadside Management Land Use Planning Emergency Management
CK and Friends Activities Project Information Junior Volunteers
Programs Resources Curriculum Maps Emergency Planning
Fireman photo

Fire Investigation

CFA has a statutory responsibility to determine the cause and origin of all fires that it attends.

Fire investigation is the thorough examination of a fire event, and starts from the time an emergency call is raised.

Why Investigate a Fire?

 Fire investigation in progress  

Fire Investigation has three main objectives:

  • Establishing the cause and origin of a fire
  • Determining the presence of any criminal activity or neglect
  • Obtaining accurate information for further analysis
This information assists CFA's maintenance of accurate data, and the development of fire suppression and fire prevention strategies.

Strategies may include fire safety education programs; manufacturing solutions; product safety and recalls; media safety campaigns; or the review of laws, regulations and standards.

Who Investigates Fires?

CFA has trained Fire Investigators who examine structure, vehicle and wildfires. They attend fire-scenes throughout Victoria particularly where:

 A Fire Investigator inspects the scene
  • There has been a fatality or significant injury
  • The fire is considered significant
  • The fire is considered suspicious
  • The cause of the fire is not readily apparent
  • CFA property is involved

CFA Fire Investigators work closely with the following agencies:
  • State Coroner's Office
  • Victoria Police - Criminal Investigation Units
  • Victoria Police - Arson Squad
  • Victoria Police - Forensic Science Centre
  • Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE)
  • Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFESB)
  • Energy Safe Victoria - Electrical (Formerly Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector)
  • Energy Safe Victoria - Gas Safety (Formerly Office of Gas Safety)
  • Victorian WorkCover Authority

Further Information:

See the Victorian Fire Investigation Policy & Procedures (pdf 487k) to learn more about the investigation process or visit the 'Your Home' section for more detail on how to prevent a house fire.
Victoria The Place To Be Logo