1. (a) Regardless of the extent of the investigation conducted by a fire department under IC 36-8-17-7 , the state fire marshal or a department fire investigator may conduct an investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding any fire or explosion.

2. (b) To carry out this section, the state fire marshal or a department fire investigator may:

   1. (1) exercise its powers under section 4 of this chapter and subsection (e);
   2. (2) assist a prosecuting attorney with any criminal investigation;
   3. (3) subpoena witnesses and order the production of books, documents, and other evidence;
   4. (4) give oaths and affirmations;
   5. (5) take depositions and conduct hearings;
   6. (6) separate witnesses and otherwise regulate the course of proceedings; and
   7. (7) obtain and secure evidence.
3. (c) Subpoenas, discovery orders, and protective orders issued under this section shall be enforced under IC 4-21.5-6-2 .
4. (d) A person who is summoned and testifies under this section is entitled to receive a minimum salary per diem and a mileage allowance from the fire and building services fund. The budget agency shall set the amount of the per diem and mileage allowance.
5. (e) The state fire marshal and department fire investigators are law enforcement officers while discharging their duties as employees of the department.
6. (f) The executive director of the department is a law enforcement officer while discharging the duties of the executive director.

As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.5-1988, SEC.120; P.L.38-1990, SEC.5; P.L.13-1994, SEC.10; P.L.167-1997, SEC.5; P.L.30-1998, SEC.2; P.L.1-2006, SEC.367; P.L.187-2021, SEC.85; P.L.238-2025, SEC.69.