What is one common indication of arson at a fire scene?

A common indication of arson at a fire scene is the presence of fires in separate rooms or spots. When a fire breaks out in multiple areas of a structure, particularly if these areas are not logically connected or if they occur in a sequence that does not align with typical accidental fire spread, it raises suspicion of deliberate ignition. Arsonists may deliberately set multiple fires to increase chaos, distract from the initial area of origin, or achieve particular effects.

In cases where a fire is suspected to be accidental, patterns usually demonstrate a single point of origin or a logical progression based on fuel sources, ventilation, and the building's layout. The presence of a single origin or focused burn patterns is more indicative of natural causes or careless mishaps. While burn patterns on walls can provide valuable information about the fire’s behavior and development, they are typically analyzed to understand the fire rather than to indicate arson directly. Fire extinguishers present at the scene do not serve as a reliable indicator of arson and are, in fact, safety measures that can affect the outcome of fire incidents.