Even within arson, we have two powers at play. If it is the business owner or a ‘hitman’ that orchestrates the fire, insurance fraud is a possibility. Through committing insurance fraud, a business may be able to reap the benefits of insurance pay-outs. Many fires happen in warehouses in the early hours of the morning when less/no staff are working.

While this could simply be down to a malfunction of something technical (which we will cover in more detail later), it may seem highlight some suspicions of fraud. Risks to staff would, therefore, be minimised, meaning only the physical possessions of the business would be affected. While it is not nice to be the cynic, this does happen.

Yet, there is the other side of intentional fire: criminal pyromania. Petty crime and vandalism feed into the reality of warehouse fires. Arson combined is responsible for one-third of all fire related property damage, demonstrating the proof that warehouse fires can never truly be eradicated.

Utility Fires

Although not as damaging as intentional fires, fires caused by faulty lighting, electrics and heating are increasingly common in the destruction of warehouses.

By being up to date and compliant in electrical wiring, and ensuring all documentation is valid, these fires can be minimised. Due care and attention are required for the shell and essentials of the building in order to ensure risks can be minimised as much as physically possible.

Exposure

Warehouses that hold combustible materials and chemicals can be themselves responsible for fires caused by exposure.

Warehouses that hold these materials may be lit up in flames from a simple heat source, i.e., gas canisters being left next to hot machinery. Exposure fires can also come from another lit flame or fire – so think twice before lighting a cigarette up next to a pile of insulation!

Speaking of Cigarettes…