27-56 - Department to examine into origin of fires; appointment of arson investigators.
§ 27-56. Department to examine into origin of fires; appointment of arsoninvestigators.
The Department shall examine, or cause examination to be made, into theorigin and circumstances of all fires occurring in this Commonwealth, whichmay be brought to its attention by official report, or otherwise, and forthat purpose shall have authority to call for and demand of the chief orother head officer of the fire department, and the chief or other headofficer of the police department, of any city or town, and the sheriff of anycounty, for any information or assistance it may require in making orfurthering such examination.
The Department shall appoint a chief arson investigator and assistant arsoninvestigators, who shall have the same police powers as a sheriff in theinvestigation and prosecution of all offenses involving fires, fire bombings,bombings, attempts, threats to commit such offense, false alarms relating toany such offense, possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substancesand firebombs.
(Code 1919, § 4186; 1977, c. 613.)