HomeFire DepartmentFire Investigation Division

Fire Investigation Division

Chief Fire Investigator

Battalion Chief David B. Biser, IAAI-CFI

Contact information:
Phone: (843)740-2620
E-mail: [email protected]

DIVISION INFORMATION

It is the responsibility of the North Charleston Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Division to conduct origin and cause investigations at all fire fatalities, serious fire-related injuries, explosions, intentionally set fires, suspicious fires, undetermined fires or any fire that causes damage to property or the environment.

Additionally, the facts and circumstances identified during the investigation allows us to develop and track hazard trends so we may proactively address fire safety education in the community.  This resource also allows us to provide feedback to suppression crews on tactics and strategies of the fire attack, ventilation and overhaul.

The North Charleston Fire Investigation Unit works in close coordination with the North Charleston Police Department, Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Departments, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF) in the course of investigating and determining a fire or explosion’s cause.

WITNESSES

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

To report suspicious activity call CRIME STOPPERS Tip line:

843-554-1111 or 1-888-CRIME-SC or 1-800-92-ARSON-SC

 

REQUESTING A FIRE REPORT

If you have experienced a fire loss and need a copy of a fire report it may be requested by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. FOIA Request

Please allow 10 days from the day of the fire for the report to be completed before making your on-line request.