Fire Investigation

Overview

It is the responsibility of the Department's investigators to conduct origin and cause investigations at all fire fatalities, serious fire-related injuries, explosions, intentionally set fires, suspicious fires, and undetermined fires in occupied or recently vacated buildings. The unit's primary obligations are scene examination, discovery, evidence recovery, photography, and documentation of the findings. Collecting and maintaining information from incident reports is an added function of the unit.

The St. Louis Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit works in close coordination with the St. Louis Police Bomb and Arson Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in the course of determining a fire or explosion's cause. 

The average citizen is a wealth of information; if he or she is observant at the time of discovery. If you need to report a fire, dial "9-1-1" immediately, while taking mental notes of what you see. The following are some of the most important questions that need answering: Where exactly did you first see smoke or fire? Did you smell smoke prior to discovery? Did you smell anything else at the time of discovery? Were there any doors or windows that were open or broken? Were there any people around the building at the time of or shortly before the fire? Has anyone forced any doors or windows trying to help victims? Who owns or occupies the structure? How do we get in touch with the owner or occupant? The answers to these questions are very important for the Fire Investigation Unit to accurately determine the cause of a fire.

Many times witnesses see and hear important events, but do not inform the firefighters or fire investigators on the scene. When a person leaves without telling the authorities of the findings, that information may be lost forever. Please help us solve these destructive puzzles. Fire safety is a community project. Help your community by helping your Fire Department. PLEASE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION!!

Requesting an Incident Report

Fire incident reports cannot be issued over the phone or in person. To request a report, please complete the Incident Report Request Form and e-mail it to FDreports@stlouis-mo.gov. 

Be aware that reports are only released after the investigation is complete and approved by the Chief Investigator.

Processing times will vary depending on the incident, and some reports may take several weeks. Please submit the request form and wait to be contacted. 

Note that the Fire Marshal's Office does not process Sunshine Law requests or requests for Medical Records. Emergency Medical Services Records Requests must be accompanied by a copy of photo ID and a completed authorization form and emailed to stlfd_emsbilling@stlouis-mo.gov.

Contact Information