Vehicle Fire Investigation Courses

VFI badge
The 2026 Ireland course dates are scheduled for 21–23 April, 19–21 May, 23–25 June, and 8–10 September. For a brochure please make contact.
- PLI

It is only a car or lorry or bike and it is insured!


We can only address the causes of vehicle fires—whether resulting from collision, carelessness, design flaws, servicing faults, or deliberate ignition—through thorough and accurate investigation. While it may not always be possible to determine the exact cause, skilled investigators can rule out possibilities and identify the point of origin. Each investigation contributes to improving vehicle design, enhancing public awareness, and, where a crime has been committed, bringing offenders to justice.

International Vehicle Fire Investigation Course: Expanding Global Impact

Founded by Richard Dunbar in 2000, the International Vehicle Fire Investigation Course has grown into a globally recognised programme, drawing delegates from around the world. In 2023, it delivered the world’s first Electric Vehicle Fire Investigation Course in Norway, attracting participants from across Europe and India. The course returned to Norway again in 2024, where 40 delegates gained practical experience examining six recently burned electric vehicles — including one subjected to police ballistic testing — along with three damaged battery boxes. Looking ahead, four courses are planned for 2026, now incorporating both electric and internal combustion vehicles to provide a challenging, modern, and highly informative investigation environment. For full details, email info@phoenixfsp.co.uk.


FIRE INVESTIGATION = Systematic investigation to attempt to locate the point of origin then we can put forward possible or probable causes.


As fire losses continue to rise, tackling vehicle arson has never been more critical. Too often, fires are deliberately set to destroy evidence of criminal activity, including insurance fraud. Yet for every deliberate fire, there are many more that are accidental—and each one has a cause that must be identified. Fire investigation demands expertise, precision, and persistence—qualities that Park Lodge International and its partners bring to every case. With our specialist skills and proven methods, we help uncover the truth, improve safety, and drive down losses.


There are three key points to any successful investigation:

  • Quick Response
  • Sympathetic Fire Fighting
  • Systematic Investigation


The Importance of a Systematic Investigation A systematic fire investigation relies on meticulous attention to detail — carefully recording the scene, taking comprehensive notes, and capturing clear photographs. Investigators must avoid assumptions, basing their conclusions solely on verifiable facts, all documented in a robust, legally compliant report supported by high-quality photographs and accurate drawings. An investigator should work within their level of expertise and record the probable cause and point of origin only when these can be confidently supported by evidence. While conclusive findings are not always possible, adherence to these three key principles significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. “My power lies not in what I know, but in the questions I ask to seek out the correct answers — sometimes those questions are to myself.” — Richard Dunbar

Team 2026

For a brochure please make contact info@parklodgeinternational.com
- Richard Dunbar