Fire Investigation
Fire investigations in Saskatchewan determine where a fire started, what caused it, and what events led to it. These investigations are carried out under The Fire Safety Act, 2015 and help the province improve fire prevention programs and public safety.
Fire Investigation Guidelines
Explains the legal authority, purpose and basic steps for determining a fire’s origin, cause and circumstances. They ensure investigations are done consistently.Legislative Authority
Fire loss investigations are conducted under The Fire Safety Act, 2015. This legislation assigns the responsibility for fire investigation to fire authorities such as Local Assistants and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
Fire investigations under the Act are administrative — not criminal — processes.
Purpose of Fire Investigations
The main purpose is to determine the Origin, Cause and Circumstances (O, C & C) of each fire. Fire Incident Reports from these investigations are used to create fire loss statistics.
These statistics help develop prevention programs, plan firefighter training, update fire safety regulations, and support municipal fire safety planning.
Other agencies (e.g., Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Branch) also depend on this data for safety evaluations.
Determining Origin, Cause and Circumstances
Origin: The location where the fire began.
Causes: The full ignition sequence, which identifies up to five things:
- The object that ignited
- How the object was powered or fueled
- The material ignited first
- How the igniting object ignited that material
- The act or omission that led to the fire
Investigation Timelines and Authority to Enter
Investigations should begin within three days of the fire (excluding Sunday). If this does not happen, investigators must rely on another legal authority (e.g., warrant or owner permission) before entering the property. The person requesting SPSA involvement must show they have authority to enter.Special Considerations
Special considerations cover safety, scene control, and situations requiring police or other agencies. They help keep investigations safe and reliable.Scene Powers and Control
Local Assistants and the SPSA staff have broad powers for the purpose of conducting investigations, including:
- the authority to enter a property where a fire has occurred
- the authority to restrict others from entering the fire scene
- the right to examine and to take items from the fire scene
- the authority to bring persons or equipment onto a fire scene
Safety Requirements
Persons entering a fire scene under the authority of the Act are required to comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations. Persons investigating a fire must be equipped with adequate safety clothing and equipment and be adequately trained to ensure their safety.Suspicious Fires
“Suspicious” is not a valid reporting term. It plays no part in an investigation beyond alerting investigators to take extra precautions to protect the scene and to immediately involve the police.Fire Deaths
All fire deaths must be reported to police, if they are not already on-scene. Investigations should not be delayed unless a higher priority criminal investigation clearly must occur first.Release of Information
Once an investigation is concluded, the SPSA may release only the origin, cause, and circumstances of a fire, as allowed by the Act. Other information held by or reported to the SPSA is not released.The SPSA’s Roles and Responsibilities
The SPSA supports investigators, collects fire loss data, and coordinates with other agencies. Its role ensures accurate and consistent investigations.Statistical Data Collection
The SPSA collects and shares provincial fire loss data, especially when:
- Injury or death has occurred
- Suspicious or criminal evidence is found
- Government property is involved
- The loss is significant
How SPSA Uses the Statistics
- To develop prevention programs such as Risk Watch and Learn Not to Burn.
- To plan training programs for firefighters.
- To identify improvements needed in fire safety regulations.
- To help plan municipal assistance programs.
Support for Local Assistants
The SPSA offers advice, on scene assistance, and training to Local Assistants and supports a strong, locally delivered fire service model.Notifications to External Agencies
If circumstances suggest potential criminal activity, fraud, product failure, or other agency interests, the SPSA notifies the appropriate organizations and protects the integrity of the scene while doing so.Advisory Role
The SPSA does not determine responsibility, motive or opportunity, but can provide advice or assistance to agencies whose mandate covers those areas.Compromised Scenes
The SPSA may decline to attend if the scene has been disturbed and a valid investigation is unlikely. Re investigating after others have significantly altered the scene is rarely successful.Restricting Access
The SPSA may restrict unsafe activities or unauthorized entry and must report provincial safety infractions to the proper authority.End of the SPSA’s Authority
Once the origin, cause, and circumstances are identified, the SPSA’s authority under the Act ends. The SPSA can continue to assist other agencies, but not under the Act’s powers.Contact for Assistance
Police, insurance representatives or other agencies can contact the SPSA at any time during an investigation: 1-800-667-9660.Team Principles
Many fire investigations benefit from a coordinated, multi-agency “team concept.” This approach ensures each partner contributes their expertise and that everyone works toward a shared, evidence-based conclusion.Benefits
- Access to expertise: Teams can draw on technical specialists and agency specific knowledge.
- Efficiency and quality: Shared work plans reduce duplication and improve the quality and speed of findings.
- Resilience in difficult conditions: Teams can scale up during complex or hazardous investigations.
Principle 1: Everyone Does Their Own Job
- What it means: Each agency brings defined legal authority, scope, and expertise (e.g., SPSA: fire cause; Police: criminal evidence; OH&S: worker safety).
- What it looks like: Clear division of tasks, respect for each mandate, and timely handoffs (e.g., SPSA documents fire cause evidence; police collect potential criminal evidence).
- Why it matters: Prevents role overlap and evidence conflicts; keeps the investigation focused and defensible.
Principle 2: Everyone Supports Each Other
- What it means: Agencies coordinate logistics, access, and resources so others can work safely and effectively.
- What it looks like: Joint scene safety briefings; shared site control (perimeter, closure orders); synchronized scheduling for examinations and interviews.
- Why it matters: Reduces delays, avoids redundant scene entries, and maintains scene integrity.
Principle 3: Everyone Shares
- What it means: Timely, need to know sharing of scene observations, examination results, and relevant documents.
- What it looks like: Short, on-scene verbal updates; documented findings shared through agreed channels; early flagging of issues (e.g., suspected product failure) so the right experts can be engaged.
- Why it matters: Creates a common operating picture, improves accuracy, and speeds decisions about next steps.
Principle 4: Everyone Agrees
- What it means: The team aims for a shared conclusion on origin and cause based on the totality of evidence.
- What it looks like: Evidence review meetings, cross checking findings, and recording areas of agreement and disagreement. If consensus isn’t possible, the team agrees to disagree, with each agency documenting its rationale.
- Why it matters: Promotes transparency, strengthens defensibility of conclusions, and respects each agency’s professional judgment.