Fire Incident Report

Learn about fire incident reports and how to capture critical details

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What is a Fire Incident Report?

A fire incident report is a diagram that accurately describes the physical layout of an area affected by a fire. They typically include structural layouts, damage patterns, evidence locations, and key features left over after a fire has been extinguished. The main goal of a fire incident report is to understand and document the origin, cause, and spread of a fire. Fire incident reports can also be referred to as fire scene diagrams, fire investigation diagrams, as well as origin and cause diagrams.

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Fire incident report with shape data
Relating real photo to fire incident diagram

Why are Fire Incident Reports Important?

  • Determine Origin and Cause - By analyzing fire patterns, investigators are able to map how heat and flames may have spread through a building or structure. This gives insight into where and how the fire may have started.
  • Maintain Records - Buildings are typically demolished or renovated after a fire. A fire incident report creates a lasting diagram of the fire that can be revisited long after the scene is gone.
  • Support Insurance Claims - Insurance adjusters and claim professionals are able to fully understand the extent of the destruction, verify claims, and make informed decisions by having a report that clearly diagrams the details of a fire.
  • Reinforce Legal Proceedings - Fire incident reports are essential in cases involving arson or negligence. It allows juries and judges to evaluate the evidence of a fire without ever setting foot on the scene.
  • Training and Education - Fire incident reports and fire scene diagrams from past incidents are helpful in training fire professionals on fire behavior, scene documentation, and investigation methods.
  • Interagency Collaboration - Fire incident reports create a common reference point when multiple agencies (fire department, police, etc.) are involved in the same case.
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Components of a Fire Incident Report

  • Legend - Explains the meaning of every symbol used in the diagram.
  • Scene Floor Plan & Layout - Shows all walls, doors, and windows, all in the north direction.
  • Origin & Spread Patterns - Identifies where the fire began and the directions it spread.
  • Fire Starters - Documents what caused the fire to begin and what possibly caused the fire to spread.
  • Furniture, Contents, & Fuel Loads - Locations of furniture, flammable materials, or trash that could act as fuel for the fire.
  • Evidence - Locates evidence such as ignitable liquids and electrical appliances at the exact spot they were found.
  • Ventilation Indicators - This includes open and closed doors, windows, HVAC vents, and roof openings.
  • Structural Details - Shows any damage to walls, floors, ceilings, and structural issues.
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Fire incident report example

How to Make a Fire Incident Report

Step 1: Start with a Fire Scene Reconstruction Template

Open SmartDraw and start with our Fire Scene Reconstruction template. From the Dashboard, click New Document, open the POlice & Fire category, and choose Fire Scene Reconstruction.

This template gives you all the tools you need to create a building outline, mark the origin of the fire, add evidence, and any other information needed.

Selecting fire template from SmartDraw's dashboard

Step 2: Import an Existing PDF, Google Maps image, or Create Your Own Floor Plan From Scratch

If you have an existing building floor plan in PDF format or a site plan image from Google Maps, you can use them to help you create your fire incident report faster. To import your image or document, click the Insert command on the Home tab and choose PDF or Picture.

Learn more about importing and scaling a Google Maps image. Learn more about importing and scaling an existing floor plan PDF.

You can also create a building floor plan from scratch using tools located in the SmartPanel. Read more about making floor plans in SmartDraw.

Insert satellite image into SmartDraw

Step 3: Mark the Details of the Fire

SmartDraw offers hundreds of industry-standard fire and crime scene symbols that can be added to your fire incident report to recreate every detail. Drag and drop symbols for:

  1. Origin of the fire
  2. Ignition sources
  3. Evidence
  4. Victims
  5. Furniture & building contents

Place them at their exact physical locations in the building.

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Fire incident symbols

Fire Incident Report Examples

The best way to understand what a fire incident report is and what should be included is to look at some examples of fire incident reports. Check out these examples included in SmartDraw. You can even edit them in your browser right now.

More Fire Incident Report Information

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