Fire Investigation

The Fire Services Act of British Columbia requires that all fires are to be investigated within 3 days after the fire, excluding holidays. The investigation is to determine the cause, origin and circumstances of each fire. This occurs regardless of whether the fire was accidental, negligent or by design. Fire investigation also helps to determine future building and fire code regulations as well as future recalls.

The Coquitlam Fire/Rescue fire investigators possess specialized training in the science of fire and take an impartial lead role in determining the cause and origin of fires. They also assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) (in cases of suspected arson) in determining the cause and origin of fires.

Subsequent to the investigation, the Fire Chief (or his/her representative) is required to submit a report to the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC). The OFC then gathers all the facts ascertained by the fire investigator and publishes a report with statistics related to the cause, origin and circumstances of fires in British Columbia.

Personnel

Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s Fire Prevention Division is responsible for all fire investigations required in the City. There are currently 7 Fire Investigators in the Fire Prevention Division.

Please contact the Fire Prevention Division at 604-927-6433 should you have any inquiries with regards to a fire investigation.

Request Information

Information on investigations must be requested through the Freedom of Information (FOI) process. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 604-927-3010 or email regarding Freedom of Information.