History of Fire Fighting

Final Coverage

Most fire services around the world were formed after a major fire made people
realize that lives and property would been saved if they had a proper body of people
trained to fight fires. One of the first organized fire fighting forces was
established in Rome, about 500 B.C. The first fire fighters were Roman slaves who,
under the command if the city’s magistrates, were stationed on the walls and the gates of
Rome. These units were called Familia Publica. However, this system was not very
effective, probably because the slaves had no choice in whether they fought fires or not.
In A.D. 600, after an enormous fire devastated Rome, the Emperor Augustus created the
vigiles, a fire fighting force of 7,000 men that was divided into seven regiments. Like
many of today’s fire services, the vigils had the power to inspect buildings to check for fire
risks, and could punish property owners whose negligence led to fires. The vigiles fire
fighting equipment included pumps, squirts, siphons, buckets, and ladders. Wicker mats
and wet blankets were used for rescue and salvage work. The Romans developed
advanced fire fighting equipment. But when the empire fell, much of this technology was
lost for centuries.

After the collapse of the Roman. Empire, European cities and towns became
disorganized and nobody coordinated fire fighting. Some people even thought that
prayers was the best way to control fires. Slowly, however, some fire laws evolved. In
many cities people were required to put out their cooking and home fires at night. In
some towns, thatched roots were forbidden and night watchmen employed to raise the
alarm if they discovered a fire.

Organized fire services in Europe were usually only formed after hugely destructive
fires. The Great Fire of London in 1666 led to the development of fire insurance
industries in England. These companies marked their insured properties with metal
badges called fire marks and formed private fire brigades to protect those properties.
Each company’s brigade attended only those premises bearing the company’s own fire
mark. There was much competition, and occasionally rival fire brigades even obstructed
each other in their fire fighting efforts. It was not until the 1800’s that London insurance
companies began to cooperate and a single London Fire Engine Establishment was
formed. The new service fought fires in any premises within the London area.

Serious blazes also caused death and destruction elsewhere in Europe, and rulers
began to realize that it was necessary to have organized forces to deal with fires. In
France, groups of citizens kept watch for outbreaks of fire, and regulations controlled
rescue operations. In the1600’s a number of serious fires spread terror throughout Paris.
The king of France bought 12 pumps, and a private fire service was established. In 1750,
the company of firemen was mostly taken over by the army, but fires continued to ravage
the city and fire fighting efforts were not always effective. In 1810, the Emperor Napoleon
attended a ball at the Austrian Embassy. A candle set curtains ablaze, and the fire spread
quickly, causing a dreadful panic. After this fire, Napoleon ordered the creation of
Batallion de Sapeure Propiers and the French Fire Brigade was born.

Better equipment for getting water to fires and for fires was developed in the
1500’s. Tools included syringes, which squirted water, but most people relied on bucket
brigades, relays of men passing buckets of water. The problems with bucket brigades
were that many men were needed, it was very tiring work, and it was not very efficient-
buildings often burned to the ground, in 1672, an uncle nephew in Amsterdam, both
called Jan van der Heide, invented a flexible hose, which could be joined together to
form a long pipe. Later, the same men invented a pump to deliver water, fire pumps were
first drawn to fires by horses or even by people. Warning bells enabled people to get out
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of the way when the pumps were rushing to a fire. The German company Daimler
invented the first petrol-driven pump in 1885, but the pump still had to be taken fires by
horses. Petrol-powered fire engines were introduced in early 1900’s, but many countries
were slow to change from horse-drawn pumps. Although today’s fire services have a
range of modern equipment, fire can be just as dangerous now as it was thousand of
years ago.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

Republic Act # 6975, the DILG Act of 1990 (Chapter 4, Section 53-59) created
the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to be responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires and to enforce the laws on fire.
Fire Protection is the descriptive term referring to the various methods used by
the bureau to stop, extinguish and control destructive fire for eventual prevention of loss
of life and property. It has the following objectives: To prevent destructive fire from
starting, To extinguish (stop or put out) on going destructive fire, to confine a destructive
fire at the place where it began, To prevent loss of life ad property when fire starts.
Fire Prevention and Suppression refers to the various safety measures utilized
to stop harmful or destructive fire from starting.
The laws related with the fire prevention and fire protection in the Philippine
setting includes PD # 1185, Fire Code of the Philippines (26 August 1977), PD # 1096,
Building Code of the Philippine (19 February 1977)
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is composed of well-trained fire fighters. In
fighting fires, they bring with them ladders and pumps. Additional specialist vehicles can
provide turntable ladders, hydraulic platforms, extra water, foam, and specialist
appliances for hazardous incidents.
In some countries, such as the United States, fire-fighting units are divided into
engine a pump and hoses for spraying water on a fire. Ladder trucks also have a
hydraulically extended ladder or elevating platform to rescue people through windows or
to spray water from a raised position.
Fire fighters in the Philippines handle many types of fires. Each type requires a
different plan of action to put it out. For example, the methods used to fight a building
fire differ greatly from those used to fight a forest or grassland fire.

Factor Affecting Fire Protection and Control

Fire protection and control is affected by the accumulation of fire hazards in a

building or area.
Fire Hazard is any condition or act that increases or may cause increase in the
probability that fire will occur or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire
fighting operations and the safeguarding of life and property

Condition of Fire Hazards

1. Existence of dangerous or unlawful amount of combustible or explosives in the

building not designed to store such materials.
2. Defective improperly installed facilities/equipment.
3. Lack of adequate exit facilities.
4. Obstruction at fire escapes or other designated opening for fire fighters.
5. Dangerous accumulation of rubbish waste and other highly combustible materials.
6. Accumulation of dust in ventilation system or grease in the kitchen.
7. Building under repair.
8. Very old building or building is primarily made of combustible materials.

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Fire Fighting Operations

Fire fighting operations refers to fire suppression activities. In general the following
procedures should be observed:

1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING – this activity involves developing and defining systematic

course of actions that maybe performed in order to realize the objectives of fire
protection: involves the process of establishing the SOP in case fire breaks out.
2. EVALUATION – SIZE – UP – this is the process of knowing the emergency
situation. It involves mental evaluation by the operation officer-in-charge to
determine the appropriate course of action that provides the highest probability of
success.
3. EVACUATION – This is the activity of transferring people, livestock, and property
away from burning area to minimize damage or destruction that the fire might
incur in case it propagates to other adjacent buildings.
4. ENTRY – This is the process if accessing the burning structure.
5. RESCUE – this is the operation of removing, thus, saving, people and other
livestock from the burning building and other involved properties, conveying them
to a secure place.
6. EXPOSURE – also called cover exposure, this the activity of securing other
buildings near the burning structure in order to prevent the fire from the extending
to another building.
7. CONFINEMENT – this is the activity of restricting the fire at the place where it
started: the process of preventing fire from extending from another section or from
one section to another section of the involved building.
8. VENTILATION – This the operation purposely conducted to displace toxic gases.
It includes the process of displacing the heated atmosphere within the involved
building with normal air from outside atmosphere.
9. SALVAGE – the activity of protecting the properties from preventable damage
other than the fire, the steps are a) remove the material outside the burning area,
and b) protecting or cover the materials by using tarpaulins (cotton canvass treated
with water proofing).
10.EXTINGUISHMENT – This is the process of putting out the main body of fire by
using the 4 general methods of fire extinguishments.
11.OVERHAUL – This is the complete and detailed check of the structure and all
materials therein to eliminate conditions that may cause re-flash; involves complete
extinguishment of sparks or smoldering (glowing) substances (embers) to prevent
possibilities of re-ignition or rekindling.
12.FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION - This is the final stage of fire suppression
activities. It is an inquiry conducted to know or determine the origin and cause of
fire.

What is a Sprinkle System?

A sprinkler system consists of a network of pipes installed throughout a building.

The pipes carry water to nozzles in the ceiling. The heat from a fire causes the nozzles
directly above the fire to open and spray water.
The Fire Bureau personnel inspect public buildings to enforce the local code. The
officials check the operating condition of the fire protection systems. They note the
number and location of exits and fire extinguishers. The inspection also covers
housekeeping practices and many other matters that affect fire safety. Fire inspectors
may also review plans for a new building to make sure it meets the safety code.

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What is a Smoke Detector?

Smoke detector is a device that sounds an alarm if a small amount of smoke enters
their sensors. Smoke detectors are attached to the ceiling or wall in a several areas of the
home. Fire protection experts recommend at least one detector for each floor of a
residence.
Fire fighters also recommend that people have portable fire extinguishers in their
homes. A person must be sure, however, to call the fire fighting service before trying to
extinguish a fore. It is also important to use the right kind of extinguisher for the type of
fire involved.

The FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PD 1185) mandates that all high rise
buildings (above 15 meters in height) be equipped with sprinkler fire suppression systems.
If you are living in a new building constructed in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s your building will
surely have one. If you in an older one structure built in the ‘60’s and early ‘70’s before
the Fire Code took effect, most likely, your building does not have a sprinkler system.

THE IDEAL SAFETY TANDEM: Sprinkler System & Smoke Detector

Ideally, an effective combination would be to have an automatic fire detection

system operating in a tandem with the sprinkler suppression system. As the firs starts,
and begins generating smoke, the smoke detection system will activate way ahead of the
sprinkler system, warning the residents, and triggering a local brigade reaction that will
put out the fire, perhaps without need for the sprinkler system to go into action. On the
other hand, if nothing is immediately done and the fire gets bigger, the sprinkler system
activates and eventually douses the fire. One system detects; the other extinguishes the
fire.

The Fire Extinguishment Theory

The Fire Extinguishment Theory maintains that “to extinguish a fire, interrupt r
eliminate the supply of any or all of the elements of fire.” Fire can be extinguished by
reducing lowering the temperature, eliminating the fuel supply, or by stopping the
chemical chain reaction.

4 General Methods of Fire Extinguishment

1. Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction

- Cooling the temperature of the fire environment: usually done by using water.
- Lower down the temperature to cool the fuel to a point where it does not
produce sufficient vapors that burn.

2. Extinguishment by Fuel Removal

- Elimination of the fuel supply/source which maybe done by stopping the flow of
liquid fuel, preventing the production of flammable gas, removing the solid fuel
at the fire path, allowing the fire to burn until the fuel is consumed.

3. Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution

- Reduction of oxygen concentration at the burning area, by introducing inert
gases, by separating oxygen from the fuel.

4. Extinguishment by Chemical Inhibition

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 - Some extinguishments agents, like dry chemical and halon, interrupt the
production of flame resulting to rapid extinguishment of the fire. This method is effective
only on burning gas and liquid fuels as they cannot burn in smoldering mode of
combustion.

What are the methods of extinguishing the 4 Classes of Fire?

1. CLASS A FIRES – by quenching and cooling: water is the best agent in cooling
the burning solid materials; water has a quenching effect that can reduce the
temperature if a burning material below its ignition temperature; (Fire extinguishes
which have water sand, acid, foam and special solution containing alkali methyl
dust, as found in the loaded stream extinguisher, should be used for this type of
fire.)
2. CLASS B FIRES – by smothering or blanketing. This type of fire is put or
controlled by foam, loaded stream, carbon dioxide, dry chemical and vaporizing
liquid.
3. CLASS C FIRES – controlled by a non-conducting extinguishing agent: the safest
procedure is to always de-energize the electrical circuit. Extinguisher that should be
used to put out these type of fires are Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers, Dry Chemical,
Vaporizing liquids.
4. CLASS D FIRES – by using special extinguishing agents marked specifically for
metals. GE type, meth LX, Lith LX, Meth L, Kyl, dry and sand and dry talc can put
out class D fires.
5. CLASS E FIRES – only combination of the above methods.

Fire Extinguisher

A Fire Extinguisher is a mechanical device, usually made of metal, containing

chemicals, fluids, or gasses for stopping fires, the means for application of its contents for
the purpose of putting out fire before it propagates, and is capable of being readily moved
from place to place.
It is also a portable device used to put out fires of limited size

What are the types of Fire Extinguisher?

1. Water Fire extinguisher – extinguisher filled with water use of fight Class A
and Class B fires except class C fires.
2. Liquefied Fire Extinguisher – those extinguishers that contain Carbon
Monoxide Gas use to fight class A, B, and C fire.
3. Dry Chemical Extinguisher – those that contain chemical powder intended to
fight all classes of fires.
4. Foam extinguisher – contains sodium bicarbonate and a foam-stabilizing
agent in a larger compartment and a solution of aluminum sulfate in an inner
cylinder; reaction between the two solutions forms a stabilized foam of carbon
dioxide bubbles.
5. Soda-acid Fire Extinguisher – filled with sodium bicarbonate mixed with
water; a small bottle of sulfuric acid is suspended inside (near the top) in such a
way that when the extinguisher is turned up-side-down, the acid mixes with
sodium bicarbonate; carbon dioxide is formed by the reaction which results to
the building of pressure inside the extinguisher; this pressure forces the water
solution out from the container through a hose.
6. Vaporizing Liquid Fire Extinguisher – contains non-conducting liquid,
generalization carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromethane; operation is by
manual pumping or using a stored pressure; the stream of liquid that is
expelled is vaporized by the heat of the fire and forms a smothering blanket.

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 This type is usually used in fires involving flammable liquids or electrical
equipment.
7. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher – effective against burning liquids and
fires in live electrical equipment; used mainly to put out Class C fires.

What are the markings required on Fire Extinguishers?

Under (Rule 37, Sec. 106 of PD 1185), all fire extinguishers manufactured or sold in
the Philippines must be labeled or marked to show at least the following:

1. Date of original filling

2. Chemical Contents
3. Type of extinguisher
4. Operation Instruction and Safe Procedure in usage
5. Name and address of the manufacturer
6. Name and address of the dealer

What are the prohibited types of fire extinguishers?

Rule 37, Sec 104 of IRR of PD 1185 provides that the following types of fires
extinguishers are prohibited for manufacture or sale:

1. All inverting types which make it necessary to invert the container before the
extinguisher’s operation.
2. Soda-acid extinguishers
3. Stored pressure or cartridge operated foam solution, unless and air-aspiring nozzle
is provided.
4. Vaporizing liquid extinguishers using carbon tectrachloride or
cholorobromomethane in any concentration of formulation.
5. Vaporizing liquid extinguishers of less than one kilogram extinguishing agent.
6. Glass bulb, “grenade” type, or “bomb’ type of vaporizing liquid extinguishers which
have to be thrown to the fire or are mounted on specific location and which
operate upon the melting of a fusible link.
7. Thermatic special hazards single station extinguishers with extinguishing capability
of less than four and a half (4.5) cubic meters.
8. Other types which maybe hereinafter prohibited.

What are the prohibited acts involving the operation of fire extinguishers?

From the same legal basis above, the following are declared prohibited acts
concerning the use of fire extinguishers:

1. Removal f inspection tags attached to fire extinguishers

2. Refilling a discharge extinguisher with a extinguishing agent other than what the
unit was designed to contain.
3. Selling fire extinguishers not appropriate to the hazard
4. Selling fire extinguishers prohibited by Rule 37, Section 104
5. Selling defective or substandard extinguishers
6. Using/installing two or more thermatic special hazard vaporizing liquid units in
rooms with volume greater than the normal capability of one unit.
7. Installing pressure gauges in fire extinguishers which do not indicate the actual
pressure of the interior of vessel such as, but not limited to use of uncalibrated
gauges, not providing or blocking the connection between the gauge and the
interior, or fixing the indicator/needle to indicate a certain pressure.

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What are the General Operating Procedures in Fire Extinguishment?

The general procedures in using a fire extinguisher may be modified by the

acronym PASS.

P – Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being
pressed. Press the plastic or thin wire inspection band.
A – Aim the nozzle or outlet towards the fire. Some hose assemblies are dipped to
the extinguisher body. Released it and then point at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the handle above carrying handle to discharge the extinguishing agent
inside. The handle can be released to stop the discharge at any time.
S – Sweep the nozzle sideways at the base of the flame to disperse the
extinguishing agent.

Fire Fighting Equipment

The most important equipment for fire fighters includes:

1. Communication Systems

They are necessary to alert fire fighters to the outbreak of a fire. Most fire alarms
are the telephoned to the fire department. Many countries have introduced a simple, 3
digit number as the telephone number to call in emergencies. This number can be dialed
from almost any telephone ad from most pay phones without a coin. Dialing this number
is free. In he Philippines, the emergency line is 166.

2. Fire Vehicles

Fire fighters have several types of fire vehicles. The main types are (1) engines,
2(2) ladder appliances, and (3) rescue vehicles.
Engines, also called water tenders, have a large pump that takes from a fire
hydrant or other source. The pump boots the pressure of the water and forces it through
hoses. Engines carry several sizes of hoses and nozzles. Many also have a small-diameter
hose called a booster line, which is wound on a reel. The booster line is used chiefly to
put out small outdoor fires.
Ladder appliances – There are two kinds of ladder appliances-turntable ladders
and hydraulic platforms.
A turntable ladder appliances has a metal extension ladder mounted on a turntable.
The ladder can be raised as high as 30 meters, or about eight storeys.
A hydraulic platform truck has a cage-like platform that can hold several people.
The platform is attached to a lifting device that is mounted on a turntable. The lifting
device consists of either a hinged boom or an extendable boom made of several sections
that fit inside each other. The boom of the largest vehicles can extend 46 meters. A built-
in hose runs the length of the boom and is used to direct water on a fire. In most cases, a
pump in a nearby engine generates the pressure needed to spray the water.
Fire Fighting Vehicles – are equipped with portable ladders of various types and
sizes. They also carry forcible entry tools, which fire fighters use to gain entry into a
building and to ventilate it to let out smoke. Common forcible entry tools include axes,
power saws, and sledge hammers.
Rescue vehicle are enclosed vehicles equipped with many of the same kinds of
forcible entry tools that adder appliances carry. But rescue vehicles also carry additional
equipment for unusual rescues. They have such tools as oxyacetylene torches, for cutting
through metal and hydraulic jacks, for lifting heavy objects. They may also carry other
hydraulic tools. With a hydraulic rescue tool, fire fighters can apply a large amount of
pressure to two objects to squeeze them together or prise them apart. The tool is often
used to free people trapped in cars and other vehicles after an accident. Many rescue
MERVIC M. PARIÑAS MS Crim 25
vehicles also carry small hand tools, such as crowbars and saws and ropes and harnesses
for rescuing people fro water or high places. In addition, they carry medical supplies and
equipment.
Special Fire Vehicles include airport crash tenders and hazardous materials units.
Airport crash tenders are engines that spray foam or dry chemicals on burning aircraft.
Water is ineffective against many aircraft fires, such as those that involve jet fuel or
certain metals.
In addition to the above fire fighting equipment, fire fighters are also required to
use protective clothing.
Protective Clothing – clothing for protection against flames, falling objects and
other hazards. They wear coats and trousers made of fire-resistant materials. Other
clothing includes special boots, gloves and helmets. Fire fighters also use a breathing
apparatus t avoid inhaling smoke and toxic gases.

Fire Prevention and Public Safety

As mentioned earlier, Fire Prevention is a term for the many safety measures
used to keep harmful fires from starting. Fires not only cause damage to valuable
property, but also responsible for large numbers of deaths.

BASIC FIRE INVESTIGATION

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Protection is the main government agency

responsible fir the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses
and other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipments, ships or vessels
docked at piers or major seaports, petroleum industry installation, plane crashes and
other similar incidents as well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws.

Why Fire should be investigated?

The very reason why fires should be investigated is to determine the cause of the
fire in order to prevent similar occurrences. The determination of the origin and cause of
fire is arrived at only after a thorough investigation. Since basic investigation is prelude to
the discovery of the true cause of the fire, an understanding of the chemistry of fire and
its attendant behavior should be a concern for successful investigation.

Who are qualified to investigate fires?

A fire investigator should have the following traits:

1. Possession of knowledge of investigational techniques.

2. He should have an insight of human behavior.
3. He should have a first hand knowledge of the chemistry of fire and its behavior.
4. He should be resourceful.

Is Fire Investigation Complex and Unique?

Fire investigation is complex and unique because of the following reasons:

1. Fire destroys evidence

2. If it is Arson, it is planned, motivated and committed is discreet.
3. Rarely can there be an eyewitness in Arson.
What are the roles of the Firemen in Fire investigation?

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 Firemen are usually at the crime scene ahead of the fire investigators. Hence, they
are valuable sources of information. They are the so-called “Eyes and Ears” of the police
before, during and after the fire has been placed under control. The information taken
from them may be categorizes as:

1. Information attainable or developed prior to the arrival at the scene.

2. Information available to the firemen at the scene
3. Information available during overhaul and thereafter.

Legal Aspect of fire Investigation

ARSON defined

Arson is the intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire.

It is concern of fire investigation to prove malicious intent of the offender. Intent
must be proved, otherwise, no crime exist. The law presumes that a fire is accidental,
hence criminal designs must be shown. Fire cause by accident or negligence des not
constitute arson.

What is Destructive Arson?

Under Article 320 of the Revised Penal code, as amended, the penalty pf Reclusion
Perpetua to Death shall be imposed upon any person who shall burn:

1. One (1) or more buildings or edifices, consequent to one single act of burning,
or as a result of simultaneous burnings, or committed on several or different
occasions.
2. Any building of public or private ownership, devoted to the public in general or
where people usually gather or congregate for a definite purpose such as, but
not limited to official governmental function of business, private transaction,
commerce, trade workshop, meetings and conferences, or merely incidental to
a definite purpose such as but not limited to hotels, motels, transient dwellings,
public conveyance or stops or terminals, regardless of whether the offender had
knowledge that there are persons in said building or edifice at the time it is set
on fire and regardless also of whether the buildings is actually inhabited or not.

3. Any train or locomotive, ship or vessel, airship or airplane devoted to

transportation or conveyance, or for public use, entertainment or leisure.
4. Any building, factory, warehouse installation and any appurtenances thereto,
which are devoted to the service to public utilities.
5. Any building the burning of which is for the purpose of concealing or destroying
evidence of another violation of law, or for the purpose of concealing
bankruptcy or defrauding creditors or to collect from insurance.

Irrespective of the application of the above enumerated qualifying circumstances,

the penalty of reclusion to death shall likewise be imposed when the arson is perpetrated
or committed by two or more persons by or group of persons, regardless of whether their
purpose is merely to burn or destroy the building or the building merely constitutes an
overt act in the commission or another violation of law.

The penalty of Reclusion Perpetua to Death shall also be imposed upon any person
who shall burn:
1. any arsenal, shipyard, storehouse or military power or firework factory,
ordinance, storehouse, archives or general museums of the government.
2. in an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of inflammable or explosives
materials.
MERVIC M. PARIÑAS MS Crim 27
If the consequences of the commission of any of the acts penalized under this Article,
death results, the mandatory penalty of death shall be imposed (sec. 10, RA 7659)

What is the basis of criminal liability in arson?

1. Kind and character of the building burned

2. Location of the building
3. Extent or value of the damage
4. Whether inhabited or not
What are other forms of arson?

Other forms of arson refers to those enumerated under Article 321 of the Revised
Penal Code, as amended like the following:

1. Setting fires to any building, farmhouse, warehouse, hut, shelter, or vessel in

port knowing it be occupied at the time by one or more person.
2. Building burned is a public building and value of damage exceeds six thousands
pesos (P6000.00)
3. Building burned is a public building and purpose is to destroy evidence kept
therein to be used in instituting prosecution for punishment of violators of law,
irrespective of the amount of damage.
4. Building burned is a public building and purpose is to destroy evidence kept
therein to be used in legislative, judicial or administrative proceeding,
irrespective of the damage, if the evidence is to be used against defendant of
any crime punishable under existing law.
Arson of property of Small Value (Art. 323, RPC)

Burning of any uninhabited but, storehouse, barn, shed, or any another property,
under circumstances clearly excluding all danger of the fire spreading, value of the
property not exceeded 25.00 pesos.

Crimes Involving Destruction (Art. 324, RPC)

The offender cause destruction by any of the following means:

1. explosion
2. discharge of electric current
3. inundation, sinking or stranding of a vessel
4. taking up rails from a railway track.
5. malicious changing of railway signals for the safety of moving trains
6. destroying telegraph wires and telegraph post or those any other
communication system.
7. by using any other agency or means of destruction as effective as the above.

Burning ones’ own property as a means to commit arson (Read case of U.S. vs.
Budiao, 4 Phil. 502) (Article 325, RPC)

Article 326, RPC – Setting Fire Property Exclusively Owned By the Offender

This act is punished if the purpose the offender is to:

1. Defraud or cause damage to another or

2. damaged is actually caused upon another’s property even if such purpose is
absent
3. thing burned is a building in an inhabited place.
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Presidential Decree No. 1613 – Amending the Law on Arson

Special Aggravating Circumstance in Arson

1. If committed with intent to gain:

2. If committed with the benefit of another:
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner or occupant
of the property burned:
4. If committed by syndicate (3 or more persons).

Prima Facie Evidence of Arson

1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or
establishment
2. If substantial amounts of flammable substance or materials are stored within
the building not necessary in the business of the offender nor for house hold
use.
3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum, or other flammable or combustible substances
or materials soaked therewith or containers thereof, or any mechanical,
electrical, chemical, or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes
or traces of any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of the
burned building or property.
4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value
at the time of the issuance of the policy.
5. If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two
fires have occurred in the same or other premises owned or under the control
of the offender and / or insured.
6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored
in a building or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the
ordinary course of business.
7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the
fire in exchange for the desistance of the offender of the offender or the safety
of the person or property of the victim.

Arson Investigation

What Constitutes Arson?

1. Burning – to constitute burning, pyrolysis must takes place. In other words,

there must be burning or changing, i.e. the fiber of the wood must be
destroyed, its identity changed.
2. Willfulness – means intentional, and implies that the act was done purposely
and intentionally.
3. Malice – it denotes hatred or a desire for revenge
4. Motive – is the moving cause that induces the commission f the crime.
5. Intent – is the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the
will.

Methods of Proof in Arson

Physical evidences in arson are often destroyed. To prove arson was committed,
Corpus Delicti must be shown and identify of the arsonist must be established, Corpus
Delicti (body of the crime) is the fact of that crime was committed. The following must
show it.

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 1. Burning – that there was fire that may be show by direct testimony of
complaint, firemen responding to the crime, other eyewitnesses. Burned parts
of the building may also indicate location.
2. Criminal design – must show that was willfully and intentionally done. The
presence of incendiary devices, flammables such as gasoline and kerosene may
indicate that the fire is not accidental.
3. Evidence of Intent – When valuables were removed from the building before
the fire, ill-feeling between the accused and the occupants of the building
burned, absence of effort to put off fire and such other indications.

What are basic lines of inquiry in Arson Investigation?

The arson investigators must have to inquire on the following a) point of origin of
fire b) motives of arsonist c) prime suspects d) the telltale signs of arson.

1. Point of origin of fire

Initially, the important point to be established is the point of origin of fire. In other
words, at what particular place in the building the fire started? This may be established by
an examination of the witness, by an inspection of the debris at the fire scene and by
studying the fingerprint of fire. The fingerprint of fire occurs during the free burning stage
of the fire when pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the walls leaving a bunt
pattern.

Witnesses must be questioned as to:

1. His identity
2. What attracted his attention
3. Time of observation
4. His position in relation to the fire at time of observation
5. Size and intensity
6. rapidity of spread
7. Color of fame and odor if he is in a position
8. Any other person in the vicinity beside the witness

Note fire setting mechanism

1. matches
2. candles
3. electrical system
4. mechanical means
5. chemical methods

2. Motive of arsonist

To understand the motives of arsonist, the arson investigator have to note the
following that fires are set by:

Persons with Motives

a. Those with desire to defraud the Insurer

b. Employees or such other person who have a grievances (Fire revenge)
c. Those with desire to conceal evidence of a crime
d. Those who set fire for purpose of intimidation

People without motives

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 a. Those who are mentally ill
b. Pathological fire-setter
c. Pyros and the Psychos

Motive of Arsonist

1. Economic Gain
a. Insurance fraud – benefiting
b. Desire to dispose merchandise – lost of market value being out of season,
lack of raw materials, over supply of merchandise can be a big reason for
arson.
c. Existing business transaction that the arsonist would like to avoid such as
impeding liquidation, settlement if estate, need for cash, prospective
business failure, and increase rentals.
d. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the Assured like insurance agents
wishing business with the assured, business competitors planning to drive
others, person seeking job as personnel protection, salvagers and
contractors wishing to contact another building.
2. Concealment of Crime- When the purpose of hiding a crime or committing a
rime, arson was used as means.
3. Punitive Measure – Committing arson to inflict injury to another due to hatred,
jealousy and revenge.
4. Intimidation or economic Disabling – Arsonist as saboteurs, strikers and
racketeers to intimidate management or employer.
5. Pyromania
Types of Pyromania

a. Abnormal Youth – epileptics, imbeciles and morons

b. Hero Type – a person set a building on fire and pretends to discover it,
turn on the alarm or make some works to appear as hero
c. Drug addict and alcoholics
d. Sexual deviates and perverts

3. Prime Suspects (and the Prima Facie evidences)

The development of prime suspects – this involves identification results from the
full development of leads, clues and traces, the testimony particularly eyewitnesses and
the development of expert testimony, the following technique may serve the
investigation:

1. Search of the fire scene for physical evidence:

a. Protection of the scene
b. Mechanics of search
c. Collection and preservation of evidences
d. Laboratory aids

2. Background study of policyholders, occupants of premises, owner of building or

other person having major interest in the fire.
3. Interviews and interrogations of persons who discovered the fire, and the one
who turned the first alarm, firemen , and eyewitnesses.
4. Surveillance

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4. The Tell Tale Sign of Arsons

These signs maybe obvious that the first firemen at the scene will suspects arson
or they maybe so well concealed that moths of patient investigation to show that it is set
off will be required.

1. Burned Building – the type of the building may indicate a set fire under certain
circumstance. A fire of considerable size at the time the first apparatus arrive at
the scene is suspicious if it is a modern concrete or semi-concrete building.
2. Separate fires – when two or more separate fire breaks out within a building.
The fire is certainly suspicious.
3. Color of smoke – some fire burn with little or no smoke but they are exception.
The observation of the smoke must be made at the start of the fire since once
the fire has assumed a major proportion, the value of the smoke is lost,
because the smoke will not indicate the material used by the arsonist

a.) When white smoke appears before the water from the fire hose comes in
contact with the fire, it indicates humid material burning. Example –
burning hay, vegetable materials, phosphorus (with garlic odor)
b.) Biting smoke, irritating the nose and throat and causing lacrymation and
coughing indicates presence of chlorine.
c.) Black smoke indicates lack of air if accompanied by large flames it
indicates petroleum products and rubber
d.) Reddish-brown smoke indicates nitrocellulose, S1, H2, SO4, HN03, or
HCI.
e.) Meaning of color of Smoke and Fire:
 Black smoke with deep red flame – petroleum products, tar, rubber,
plastics, etc.
 Heavy brown with deep red flame – nitrogen products
 White smoke with bright flame – magnesium products
 Black smoke with red and blue green flame – asphalt
 Purple-violet flame – potassium products
 Greenish-yellow flame – Chloride or Manganese products
 Bright reddish yellow flame – Calcium products

4. Color of flame – The color of the flame is a good indication of the intensity of
the fire, an important factor in determining incendiarism.
5. Amount of Heat – A reddish glow indicates heat of 5000 degrees centigrade. A
real bright read about 100 degrees centigrade. Red flames indicate of
petroleum. Blue flame indicates use of alcohol as accelerant.
6. Smoke Marks – An experience investigation will determine the volume of smoke
involved at a fire and the character as residue deposited on walls or elsewhere.
Smoke in marks have often been of assistance in determining the possibility of
a fire having more than one place of origin.
7. Size of Fire – This is important when correlated with the type of alarm, the time
received and the time of arrival of the first fire apparatus. Fires make what
might be termed a normal progress. Such progress can be estimated after an
examination of the material burned the building and the normal ventilation
offered of the fire. The time element and the degree of headway by the flames
become important factors to determine factors to determine possible
incendiarism.
8. Direction of Travel – While it is admitted that no two fire burn in identical
fashion, yet it can be shown that the fire makes normal progress through
various types of building materials, combustibility of contents, channel of
ventilation and circumstances surrounding the sending of alarm an experienced
investigator can determine whether a fire spread abnormality fast.
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 9. Intensity – The degree of heat given off by a fire and the color of its flame
oftentimes indicate that some accelerant has been added to he material
normally present in a building and the investigator must look for further
evidence pointing to use of such accelerant. Difficulty in extinguishing the fire is
often a lead to suspect presence of such fluid as gasoline and kerosene.
10.Odor – The odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids
which are often used as accelerant is characteristics of oftentimes arsonist are
trapped because of this telltale sign. Most of fire – setters are inclined to use
substance which will make the blaze certain and at the same time burn up any
evidence of their crime.
11.Condition of Content – Persons tending to set their house on fire frequently
crime objects of value either materially or sentimentally. Store and other
business establishments oftentimes remove a major portion of their content or
replace valuable merchandise without of style articles.

KEY WORD FOR FIRE SAFETY “PADRE”

P -PREVENTION

A - AWARENESS

D - DETECTION

R - RESPONSE or REACTION

E - EVACUATION

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