Fire & Explosion Investigations

The NH State Fire Marshal’s Office – Bureau of Investigations responds to the following types of incidents:

• Fatalities as a result of a fire, explosion, building collapse or a carbon monoxide release (other than a motor vehicle)
• Serious Bodily Injury as a result of a fire, explosion, carbon monoxide incident, or a building collapse
• Line of Duty Death or Serious Fire Service Injury
• Fires that indicate arson (intentionally set)
• Explosions with criminal indicators
• Fires or explosions that involve large dollar loss or community significance
• Fire or explosions that occur at state owned property
• Fire or explosions with an Undetermined Origin and Cause 

*All scenes must be secured by police or fire personnel*

**  The FMO Duty-Supervisor will need incident commander/on-scene contact prior to approving and deploying FMO assets**

Responding investigation teams can provide the following:
Ignitable Liquid/Accelerant Detection K-9s, Origin and Cause Determination, Fire Scene Reconstruction, Post Blast Investigation, Collection of Fire Scene Evidence, Interviews, Scene Documentation, Command trailers, Criminal and Administrative Search Warrants

Ignitable Liquid/Accelerant Detection Canine (K-9) Unit
Ignitable Liquid/Accelerant Detection canines can detect minute traces of ignitable liquids used in fires and can lead investigators to a specific location where physical samples can be taken for forensic laboratory analysis.

To speak with the on-call Supervisor or request assistance from an Investigator or K-9 team after normal business hours, please call New Hampshire State Police Communications at (603) 223-4381.

Laws, Rules and Codes

Bureau of Investigations Laws and Rules

For a list of all laws, rules and codes that pertain to the NH Division of Fire Safety, please view them on our full site.

Need Help?

Please do not hesitate to contact us at (603) 223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov