As we have already learned, the Bureau of Fire Protection is the country's concerned body when it comes to all matters related to fire prevention and suppression. In relation to that, the BFP also has the power to investigate fires.
The main reason is to determine the cause of the fire and, where applicable, to use the knowledge gained from the investigation to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
Fire investigators, as authorized, are qualified to investigate fires. They must:
Possess knowledge of investigational techniques
Have an insight on human behavior
Have first-hand knowledge of the chemistry of fire and its behavior
Be resourceful
The short answer is yes. These are the main reasons:
Fires destroy evidence.
If it is arson, the fire would have been planned and discreet.
There are rarely any witnesses to incendiary fires.
Since firefighters arrive on the scene well before fire investigators, firefighters are positioned to be valuable sources of information. They are called the "eyes and ears" of the investigators before, during, and after the fire came under control. The information they have can be categorized as:
attainable or developed prior to arrival at the scene
available to the firefighters at the scene
available during overhaul or thereafter