Apartment Fire Investigation Expert - Meier Fire Investigation

A fire and explosion expert talks about investigating apartment and condo fires.

A recent Bradenton fire prompted us to talk with Apartment Fire Investigation Expert, Richard Meier. Richard is a Manatee County based fire and explosion investigator.

On January 18, 2020 a fire broke out in a building at the Mira Lagos Apartments in Bradenton, FL. The two alarm fire displaced 21 people and killed a family pet. Fire officials are investigating the cause. Coverage of the fire on ABC7/MySuncoast.com.

An Apartment Fire Investigation Expert Speaks.

Richard, when would you get involved in an apartment fire investigation like this?

I typically get involved in the investigation after the fire department completes their work. My work begins when the insurance companies or lawyers for residents or the landlord, start their investigations.

Doesn’t the fire department do that?

No, The first responders are busy and focus mainly on public safety. So most FD investigations are a general overview without getting into too many specifics.

Apartment fire expert - fire fighter on stairs

According to USFA Statistics, less than 30% of apartment fires spread beyond the pot, fireplace or container they start in.
-USFA Multifamily Residential Building Fires (2013-2015)

What does the fire department look for?

First of all, they look for where the fire started (the origin). Their answer can broad , “apartment 203”, or specific, “the north end of the kitchen counter of apartment 106.”

Next, they want to know if there was a crime, like arson, or a if serious fire code violation led to the fire.

Then they’ll determine a fire classification. They have 4 to choose from. They’ll report whether the fire was accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined.

Finally, they may offer a cause for the fire, like “electrical” or “cooking accident.”

After that, their work is done and my work begins.

After the Fire Department Investigation

So the investigation doesn’t end when the fire department or fire marshals leave?

No, actually most of the investigation happens after the “official investigation” is complete.

What are you looking for when you investigate an apartment fire?

Private fire investigators, like me, are looking for three main things.

First, I look for where the fire started (the origin). Second, I try to find what started the fire, or the cause. Finally, I work to find who or what was responsible for the damages, injuries or death. But, that’s not always the same as the cause. Let me explain.

After all that, I’ll summarize my findings in a report, in testimony, or both.

Apartment Fire Investigation Steps

inspect, diagram and photograph the fire scene
interview witnesses
study the building construction
collect evidence
inspect the evidence
preform lab tests
review fire codes and laws
inspect other apartments in the complex
evaluate fire escapes, fire extinguishers, sprinklers
look at the smoke detectors and fire alarms
review product recalls

Apartment Fire Investigation Example

Let’s look at the following scenario.

In the kitchen of apartment 101, Erin is cooking chicken, and leaves to check on her laundry. A grease fire starts on the stove. She returns to the kitchen and finds the fire, then runs out to grab the fire extinguisher from her hallway to put the fire out. It’s not there. She runs upstairs to grab another fire extinguisher. Finally she finds one on the 3rd floor.

By the time she gets back, the fire has grown and spread. Erin calls 911. It takes 4 minutes for the fire department to arrive. The flames and smoke break through ceiling and enter apartment 201 above. The smoke alarm in the apartment does not go off.

When the fire is put out, the fire department finds Henry, the upstairs neighbor, was asleep in his apartment and died from smoke inhalation.

What this example tells us.

The origin of the fire is stove in apartment 101. The cause is unattended cooking, and ruled accidental. But is Erin responsible for the death? Not necessarily.

We may find in this case that the landlord is responsible because they failed to properly maintain the smoke alarms and extinguishers. Or the alarm company might be responsible if the landlord paid for maintenance, but they didn’t do it. If the smoke alarms were defective, the manufacturer could be responsible for Henry’s death. That’s when it pays to have a Apartment Fire Investigation Expert on the case.

That sounds complicated. How long does it take?

Fire investigations can be complicated. My investigations and the following court cases sometimes last months or years. Furthermore, my analysis of the events and related statutes and codes can be involved and detailed. I need to be able to prove my findings and conclusions in court.

Who hires you to investigate apartment fires?

Most of the time, I’m hired by an attorney representing an interested party. That could be a resident, the landlord or an insurance company. It could also be a manufacturer whose product safety is in question because it was located near the origin of the fire.

Can a fire victim hire an apartment fire investigation expert directly ?

No, for legal reasons, we work through an attorney or an insurance company.

Aren’t most apartment fires arson?

No, most apartment fires are accidental. Intentionally set fires are fairly rare, and only account for 5 to 8% of reported fires. According to the National Fire Prevention Association statistics from 2013 to 2015, 49% of residential fires are the result of cooking related accidents. This is followed by heating related (14%), and electrical related (10%) fires. The US Fire Administration collected data on apartment fires over the same period. By their statistics, only 6 out of every 100 apartment fires are intentional.