Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-08-28
THE DUTIES OF
FIRE MARSHAL
State Legislation Looking to the Pre-
vention and the Reduction
Of Fire Losses.

The new law relative to the duties
OF the fire marshal Is published at the
request Of the fire marshal. Every
one should familiarize himself with
the provisions of the law and do all In
his power to assist the fire marshal
In his work. The law contains many
sensible provisions for the reduction
Of the great losses by fire. and should
accomplish a great deal OF good In re-
duclng the amount OF destroyed prop
erty.
Duties Of the State Fire Marshal.
The new law provides that the
cause, origin and circumstances OF
every fire occurring In the state in
which the loss exceeds $4,000. shall
be reported to the fire marshal With
in a week Of It's occurance. by the
mayor of every Incorporated city or
town in which no fire department ex-
lists, and In the country by the Justice
Of the peace OF the magisterial dis
trict. From these reports valuable
statistics can be compiled showing
such data as the exact number OF
fires, by months, the value and loss
OF property destroyed the cause of
such fire, and other facts that viii be
useful In the elimination OF FIRE waste.
Suspicious Fires.
II there be circumstances to Indicate
that the fire was Intentionally started
by some one. no matter how small
the loss, the law requires that the
State Fire Marshal be notified at once,
by the above public officers,
Power to investigate. N
The fire marshal or his deputy may
Investigate any suspicious fires re-
porsed, exercising all the power or a
court. They may administer oaths
and punish for contempt by fine or
jail sentence; may compel the attend
ance OF witnesses. and the production
OF any book, paper or document touch.
ing any matter under Investigation.
They may separate, ana exclude at
torneys during examinations. RI suf.
fcient evidence Is secured 10 warrant
an arrest, the fire marshal or deputy
shall cause such arrest to be made.
furnish a copy Of all testimony to the
proper prosecuting attorney, and fol-
low each case until It is disposed OF.
The fire marshall of West Virginia
wishes II distinctly understood that a
strong effolt will be made to convict
any person guilty OF i~ncendiarism or
arson.
Elimination Of Hazards.
Another important provision in the
law is that giving the fire marshal or
his deputy the right to direct that any
building or premises that is especial
~ liable to fire must be repaired or
removed.
Compensation.
For making reports all Justices OF
the peace and any municipal officer
who does not receive an annual salary
OF more than $4,000, will be allowed so
cents and FIVE cents per mile to and
from the fire. payments being made
during the month of March each year.
Penalties.
Any officers referred 10 in this ar
ticle who fails TO report a fire Is sub
Ject to a fine OF $500 to $4,000.
Any owner or occupant OF a prop
erty who fails to comply With any
reasonable order OF the fire marshal
or deputy relative to the removal Of
a fire hazard Is subject to a fine OF
$1,000 to $4,000 for each days neglect.
The fire marshars Office has sent
out to all the officers required to re-
port fires a full and complete set OF
report blanks, and we ask the CO..
operation OF the public in assisting
them in their work.
We also ask any citizen of the state
who knows Of a condition that is es-
p~ecially liable to start = fire to report
the matter to this Office.
CHARLES A. ELLISON.
State Fire Marshal.