Case Study: Residential Fire Investigation
Overview
A fire occurred at a single-family residence, with visible damage extending throughout the garage. Our team was retained to determine the origin and cause of the fire, with the added responsibility of assessing whether recent appliance servicing played any role.
Investigation
We conducted a detailed fire origin and cause analysis within the garage area. Particular attention was given to the laundry appliances and surrounding electrical systems, since a repair contractor had previously serviced the washer and dryer. Both appliances were carefully inspected, along with the wall assemblies and utility connections.
Initial Findings
Area of Origin: Garage, near, but not at, the laundry appliances.
Ignition Source: Most probable cause was an extension cord that had been improperly routed through the exterior wall of the structure. The cord showed evidence of damage consistent with electrical failure.
Contributing Factors: The extension cord appeared to have been used as a permanent wiring solution to power an exterior feature. This is not an appropriate or code-compliant method of supplying power and introduced unnecessary fire risk.
Outcome
The investigation determined that neither the washer nor the dryer contributed to the fire. Both units, and the wall receptacle serving them, showed no evidence of involvement. This supported our client—the appliance repair contractor—by confirming that their prior work was unrelated to the ignition sequence.
Lessons
Thoroughly establishing the exact area of origin is essential in fire investigations. By narrowing the investigation to the correct zone, it becomes possible to identify the specific failure—in this case, improper electrical practices—while ruling out unrelated equipment.
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