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Fires

A coroner can investigate a fire regardless of whether a death has occurred.

A coroner must investigate a fire after receiving a request to investigate from the Country Fire Authority or Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, unless the coroner determines that the investigation is not in the public interest.

Any person can also request a coroner to investigate a fire.

If the coroner refuses to investigate the fire, he or she must give written reasons to the person who made the request.

A coroner must also make a finding following an investigation into a fire stating, if possible, the cause and origin of the fire and the circumstances in which it occurred.