Final answer:
To determine the cause of a fire, a firefighter should look for an ignition source and sequence, involving evidence of heat sources and the pattern of burn to understand how the fire spread, considering the types of fuel and the role of oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the cause of a fire, a firefighter should look for an ignition source and sequence. This involves finding what initially sparked the fire as well as how the fire spread throughout the area. Important parts of the investigation include searching for evidence of heat sources like overloaded electrical circuits, open flames or chemical reactions, and examining the pattern of burn to understand the sequence of the fire's spread.
The firefighter must also identify the types of fuel that were present, such as dry plant material, which can influence the severity and speed at which the fire spreads. Understanding the role of oxygen in sustaining combustion is crucial. Heat, fuel, and oxygen are the three elements needed for a fire to occur, as outlined by fire prevention education. In contrast, witnesses and suspicious individuals can be helpful but are mostly relevant to law enforcement authorities if arson is suspected.