Fire Marshal Bruce Knott
Phone: 317-571-2619

Deputy Fire Marshal Captain William D. Kehl, CFEI
Phone: 317-571-2670

Fire Investigations of the Carmel Fire Department is responsible for investigating fires that occur in the City of Carmel and Clay Township. Fire Investigations investigates all fires including suspicious fires and explosions to determine the origin and cause.

Certified investigators conduct all phases of the fire investigation including interviewing witnesses, evidence collection, background investigations, appearing in court and assisting other public safety and private agencies. They also are required to attend a minimum number of educational schools and seminars to keep current on all-new investigation techniques and skills.

All Carmel Fire Department Investigators are members of the Hamilton County Fire Investigation Task Force. The Task Force was formed in November of 1994 and consists of Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Investigators from

Hamilton County Departments, the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the State Fire Marshals Office. It is the primary purpose of the Task Force to assist all Hamilton County Fire Departments with fire investigations when requested and to provide further education to the members in the investigation field.

Nationally, arson and suspected arson is the leading cause of property damage exceeding $ 2 billion annually. Arson is the second leading cause of residential fire deaths and accounts for approximately 25 percent of all fires in the United States. National statistics show that 52 percent of arson fires occur in structures, 26 percent in vehicles and 22 percent in other categories. Juveniles account for 55 percent of all arson arrests.

Many times children begin playing with fire by the age of three. The age of accountability for juvenile firesetters is seven. Fire Investigations provides children and juveniles with assistance that has problems with fire playing and firesetting.

Anyone with information on suspicious fires may call the Carmel Fire Department at (317) 571-2600. In cooperation with the Indiana Arson an Crime Association, the ARSON HOT LINE (1-800-382-4628) is stationed in the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Anyone with any information on leads to arson activity and alleged arsonists may leave information and a phone number.

Links that may be helpful to you:
National Fire Academy: www.usfa.gov/fire-service/nfa/nfa.shtm *
National Lightning Safety Institution: www.lightningsafety.com *
Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov *        

* The City of Carmel cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information supplied to them by others, or any information on pages linked to the City of Carmel pages. No responsibility for this information can be, or is, assumed. Inclusion on this site does not indicate or imply an endorsement by the City of Carmel of any site or information