Over the past several years we have repeatedly called the attention of fire investigators and insurance adjusters to basic safety procedures at a fire site. We include insurance adjusters in this category because they often go to fire scenes and other losses oblivious to basic safety. We caution woman who are pregnant to be extremely careful about entering a fire site environment. The problems potentially are many fold. Older houses have lead paint.
Some houses have asbestos from pipes or other insulating material.
The problem is exaggerated when the building has been sealed and heat introduced to keep the pipes from freezing. A rent situation in Albany New York brings to mind the problem of Carbon Monoxide. Investigators were working in a building. Small propane heaters were utilized to provide heat. About an hour into the investigation there were complaints of being tired by several investigators.