Final answer:
When there is no formal investigation or assigned fire investigator, the local fire department is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of a fire. If the fire department does not do a full assessment, insurance companies may step in to understand the fire cause for policy reasons. Therefore, the correct answer is option d) Local fire department
Step-by-step explanation:
If no formal investigation is conducted nor a fire investigator sent to the scene, the responsibility for determining and reporting the fire cause typically falls to the local fire department. They have the authority and expertise to make an initial assessment of the fire's origin and cause.
In cases where the fire department does not conduct a full investigation, the responsibility may shift to insurance companies, as they have a vested interest in understanding the cause of the fire for policy reasons.
While eyewitnesses may provide valuable information and property owners might have theories, determining the cause of a fire is complex and usually requires professional assessment.
In a situation where no formal investigation is conducted and a fire investigator is not sent to the scene, the responsibility for determining and reporting the fire cause falls on the property owners.
It is the property owner's responsibility to assess the situation, gather any available evidence, and make a determination on the cause of the fire.
However, it is important to note that property owners may seek assistance from insurance companies, eyewitnesses, or the local fire department for additional information or expertise.
Therefore, the correct answer is option d) Local fire department