Section 661.200.6. Fire investigations.

         200.6(1) The fire marshal has the authority to investigate any fire in the state of Iowa.

            a.               The fire marshal may initiate an investigation of any fire at the discretion of the fire marshal.

            b.               Any local fire or law enforcement official may request the fire marshal to investigate any fire. Such investigation shall be undertaken at the discretion of the fire marshal.

         200.6(2) Local fire officials have the primary responsibility to and shall investigate fires. A local fire official who investigates a fire shall file a report of each fire investigated with the fire marshal division within one week of the fire even if the fire marshal division participated in, assisted with, directed or supervised the fire investigation. Upon written request, the fire marshal may grant an extension of the time for filing this report for a period not to exceed 14 days. The request shall set forth compelling reasons for such extension.

         200.6(3) A local fire official who investigates a fire shall immediately report a fire that involves death or suspected arson and shall do so by contacting the member of the fire marshal division assigned to that area or, if that member is not available, another member of the fire marshal division. If direct contact with the fire marshal division is impractical, the local fire official may request the county sheriff to relay the information to the fire marshal division via Iowa state patrol communications.

         200.6(4) The notice of a fire involving death or arson shall contain the following information, if known:

            a.               The date, time, and address of the fire;

            b.               If death has occurred or is suspected, the name, age and address of the person or persons deceased or missing;

            c.               The suspected cause of the fire;

            d.               If arson is suspected, the reasons for suspecting arson, whether there is obvious evidence of arson, and if there is an arson suspect; and

            e.               Whether an explosion occurred.

         200.6(5) The fire marshal may assist a local officer in the investigation of any fire. The fire marshal may direct, conduct, or assist in the investigation of a fire and may arrange for the participation of a consultant in the investigation.

[ARC 8307B, IAB 11/18/09, effective 1/1/10]