# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2: Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2 - **Heading:** Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XX / Chapter 148 / Section 2 ## Text Section 2. The head of a fire department in a city, town, or district wherein a fire or explosion has destroyed or damaged property shall investigate the cause and circumstances thereof in order to determine if such fire or explosion was caused by carelessness or design or shall cause such an investigation to be made by a member of the fire department of such city, town or district. They shall begin such investigation forthwith after such fire or explosion, and if it appears to the official making such investigation that the fire or explosion is of suspicious origin or is the result of a violation of law, or if he is unable to determine the cause, he shall immediately notify the marshal. All other fires or explosions by which a loss is sustained shall, within forty-eight hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, be reported in writing to the marshal. Reports required by this section shall be on forms furnished by the department, and shall contain a statement of all facts relating to the cause and origin of the fire or explosion that can be ascertained, the extent of damage thereof, the insurance upon the property damaged, and such other information as may be required. The marshal shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all fires or explosions occurring in the commonwealth, with the results of such investigations, and such records shall be open to public inspection. Section 2. The head of a fire department in a city, town, or district wherein a fire or explosion has destroyed or damaged property shall investigate the cause and circumstances thereof in order to determine if such fire or explosion was caused by carelessness or design or shall cause such an investigation to be made by a member of the fire department of such city, town or district. They shall begin such investigation forthwith after such fire or explosion, and if it appears to the official making such investigation that the fire or explosion is of suspicious origin or is the result of a violation of law, or if he is unable to determine the cause, he shall immediately notify the marshal. All other fires or explosions by which a loss is sustained shall, within forty-eight hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, be reported in writing to the marshal. Reports required by this section shall be on forms furnished by the department, and shall contain a statement of all facts relating to the cause and origin of the fire or explosion that can be ascertained, the extent of damage thereof, the insurance upon the property damaged, and such other information as may be required. The marshal shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all fires or explosions occurring in the commonwealth, with the results of such investigations, and such records shall be open to public inspection. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2 Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2A Notice of unauthorized ignition of fire within public or private schools or on school grounds; submission of report by school principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3 Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4 Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5 Investigation of premises and alleys as to fire hazards; remedy of conditions; expenses; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5A Unvented liquid fired space heaters; use or sale prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 6 Neglect or refusal of officers to comply with duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 7 Reports of marshal and commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 8 Reports to heads of fire departments, insurance companies, property owners and other interested persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9 Regulations relating to explosives and inflammable materials; reports of quantities and locations; ordinances and by-laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9A Model rocket engines; storage; manufacture; use; sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10 Regulations relative to fire prevention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10A Heads of fire departments; permits; inspections; records; fees; list of fire department heads](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10A.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.