Series 1828: Fire Investigation Log Books. 1933-2008Insurance, Dept. of. (RG40) Fire Marshal.

Series 1828: Fire Investigation Log Books. 1933-2008
Insurance, Dept. of. (RG40) Fire Marshal.

      Includes indices, log books, and case abstracts by which State Fire Marshal's office maintained control and accountability of fire investigation case files (Series 1807). This listing is divided into four subcomponents which are described individually. Beginning approximately 1950, State Fire Marshal's Office began using docket and case file numbering system. Until 1991, each case file received two numbers. The docket number (1 to 5 digits) was sequential from number 1. The case file number (1 alpha character and 1 to 4 digits) was sequential within each letter of the alphabet. In 1992, docket numbers and case file numbers were combined and cases were assigned sequential numbers within each year (example: 92-0073). Detailed information about particular fire cases may be found in Series 1807.

See also:
      Series 1807: Fire Marshal Investigation Files. 1952-1993.

Indices: Arranged by first letter of property owner's last name. Within each letter of alphabet, names are arranged by case file number. Individual entry includes docket number, case file number, property owner's name, and month and year of fire. There is some overlap.

Log Books: Arrangement varies by year and method of recording information. From 1933 to 1935, arrangement is alphabetical by first letter of last name in rough chronological order. A single line entry may include property owner's name, town, date of investigation, and disposition of case (if arson). From 1936 to 1946 and 1952 to 1957, arrangement is alphabetical by first letter of last name in case file number order within each letter of alphabet. Each case has a separate page which may include docket number, case file number, property owner's name, location and type of property burned, cause of fire, remarks, and disposition of case. From 1949 to 1951, cases are arranged by town where property owner lived or received mail. Each case has a separate page with same information as in 1936 to 1946 and 1952 to 1957 log books. From 1962 to 1984, individual pages are in docket number order and contain same information as before. From 1997-2004, the entries are in case number order and include the above data plus insurance and loss values, type of structure, determination of cause, and number of arrests and deaths. The indices (see above) should be used to find a particular case.

Abstracts of cases: For each year, cases are listed in docket number order. Each listing also includes separate breakout by Deputy Fire Marshal who investigated fire. The indices (see above) should be used to find a particular case.

Combination log books & abstracts of cases: For each year, cases are listed in docket number order. Each entry includes property owner's name, docket number, and case file number. Each year listing also includes separate breakout by Deputy Fire Marshal (DFM) who investigated fire. Within each DFM's listing, individual entries include property owner's name, docket number, case number, dates, property type, cause of fire, and disposition of case. The indices (see above) should be used to find a particular case.