374
No. 8 of 1895.
ON.
In case of fire Com-missioner of Police to take possession of premises and report.
Inquiry by magistrate into causes of fire.
Examina-tion of witnesses.
Close of inquiry and release of premises.
Committal of suspect-ed person to answer charge.
FIRE INVESTIGATION.
2. Whenever a fire has taken place on any premises, or there is reason to suppose that an attempt has been or is about to be made to set fire to any premises or part thereof, the Commissioner of Police shall, as soon as possible, take possession of such premises and of any other premises where the fire is supposed to have originated, to the exclusion, if he deems it necessary, of the owners and all others; and he shall make or cause to be made, either personally or by some officer of police of grade not lower than inspector, a full and minute inspection of such premises, and shall forthwith make a written report in detail to a magistrate of the state of the said premises and of the contents, if any, thereof, furnishing also all such information touching the origin and circumstances of the fire as he may be able to obtain.
3. On the receipt of such report, the magistrate, unless, on consideration of the facts stated therein, he is of opinion that such inquiry is unnecessary, shall proceed to investigate the causes of the fire, and shall, with as little delay as practicable, take the depositions upon oath of all persons likely to know the facts and circumstances and of all other persons who, in his opinion, may be able to furnish information in respect thereof.
4. At such investigation any police officer not below the rank of inspector and any interested person may by leave of the magis-trate and either personally or by his counsel or solicitor examine the witnesses and cause such persons to be examined as may be able to give information touching the fire or the attempt as aforesaid.
5. If, in the opinion of the magistrate, the investigation does not disclose any offence or, although it discloses an offence, does not show any reasonable cause for suspecting any person of having committed such offence, the magistrate shall close the inquiry and order the release of the premises: Provided that such closure and release shall be no bar to any information or proceedings against any person for an offence against the law.
6. If, in the opinion of the magistrate, the fire is the result of crime, and there is reasonable cause to suspect and he does suspect any person of having committed an offence against the law, he shall have power to commit such person to prison to
* As amended by Law Rev. Ord., 1937.