| Commercial Building Fires – Belize Throughout Belize, EFI Global has investigated a variety of commercial building fires, many of them amounting to over $1 million in losses. In particular, our experts responded to a restaurant and hotel fire that resulted in a complete loss of property. EFI Global worked closely with local authorities to document the scene and conduct witness interviews. Further examination of the debris identified ignitable pour patterns and used matches. Debris samples were also collected and shipped overseas to EFI Global’s corporate office laboratory in Texas for careful analysis. Lab results confirmed the presence of ignitable liquid in the debris samples, proving incendiary cause. << Top High-Rise Hotel Fire – Puerto Rico EFI Global experts assisted in the investigation of a catastrophic hotel fire in Puerto Rico that destroyed multiple floors and claimed several lives. After documenting the scene and gathering lab samples, the presence of an ignitable chemical substance was confirmed. Witness interviews revealed local labor disputes and confirmed employees’ strained relations with management, proving motive and opportunity. Upon further investigation, EFI Global’s efforts also identified how outside wind conditions and building construction allowed the fire to accelerate rapidly throughout the bottom floors. << Top Incendiary Investigation – 3-story Residence Fire EFI Global fire investigators responded to a 3-story house fire that had “pancaked” into the basement of a residence. After close examination, the debris removal exposed ignitable liquid pour patterns. Subsequent lab analysis revealed 8 of 11 debris samples tested positive for gasoline, proving incendiary cause. Further investigation and interviews established motive and opportunity of the insured. EFI Global’s investigation allowed our client to prevail in a declaratory judgment and save more than $500,000. << Top Resourceful Techniques – Canine-Assisted Fire Investigation During the investigation of a $6 million structural fire loss, EFI Global experts utilized canines to search and identify the location of ignitable liquids. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of ignitable liquid in the area identified by the canines, thus proving incendiary fire cause, and saving numerous man-hours during the course of investigation. << Top Diligent Investigation and Case Review An attorney firm engaged EFI Global fire investigators and scientists to analyze a two-year old investigation that caused their insured to be named as a defendant in a civil suit. Unfortunately, the attorney’s case was hampered by the fact that the scene had been cleared down to the slab. Using the facts, data, interviews and photos produced by the original investigators from multiple fire investigation firms, our investigators were able to dissect the layers of the events and identify flaws in the earlier investigation. Sophisticated investigative tools included time line analysis, witness data triangulation and multiple variable analysis. Faced with the real facts, the plaintiff team settled for less than 5% of the original demand. << Top Solid Methodology Implemented at Fatal Explosion Site EFI Global responded to a fatal explosion within hours after the incident and before the fire officials released the scene, thus keeping the evidence chain of custody intact. EFI Global’s thorough investigation and solid methodology included a detailed scene documentation, scientific testing and hours of interviews in several states across the U.S. Our investigation revealed crucial evidence overlooked by other experts, ultimately saving the client close to $10 million. << Top Multi-Million Dollar Fire Loss – The Bahamas EFI Global performs numerous fire investigations annually in the Bahamas on various structures including vehicles, multi-story commercial and residential buildings, retail establishments, and medical facilities. In a multi-million dollar case involving an island marina, a hotel and restaurant fire destroyed the surrounding pier and several docked boats. After conducting interviews with the restaurant staff, pesticides were identified as part of routine facility maintenance, but not at damage-causing levels. However, in this particular case, the pesticides filtered through the room, reached their explosive range and combined with a spark from a refrigerator compressor, resulted in the fire. EFI Global’s investigation and evidence examination proved the loss was accidental, and continues to work regularly with Bahamian investigators on additional cases. << Top Subrogation Recovery Efforts – Product Malfunction EFI Global was requested to provide engineering investigative services for an insurance company representing the owner of a single-family residence that was destroyed by fire. It was suspected by other engineering experts involved in the loss that an overhead, gas-fired furnace caused the loss. Our engineer performed a site inspection at the property and determined that other experts had mistakenly placed the fire origin 10 feet from the actual suspected source: a bathroom ventilation fan. Engineering examination of the 2-year-old fan showed that the upper bearing had seized, which most probably caused ignition of the adjacent nylon fan impellar. Not only did the opposing claims appear to be unfounded, EFI Global was able to prepare the client for subrogation recovery. << Top Semi-truck Trailer Explosion – Loss Response Team Deployed EFI Global responded to a semi-truck trailer explosion on a Friday morning. That same afternoon, another explosion came from a second trailer carrying the same cargo. Our professionals worked with the local fire department, EPA and Hazmat authorities to secure the scene and shut down the manufacturing plant producing the products. In order to maintain the plant’s production schedule, EFI Global assembled a major loss response team including an on-site chemist to perform 24-hour testing and a team of engineers, who developed a plan to move the product to another location before Monday morning. Our investigation concluded an item sold to the plant did not meet specifications and caused the explosions. EFI Global’s timely response and thorough investigation prevented liability against the client and provided an avenue of recovery for the organization and the injured truck driver. << Top Underground Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Rupture – South America EFI Global dispatched a fire and explosion investigator and an engineer to investigate a pipeline rupture that claimed the lives of several pipeline workers. After days of interviews, document review and examination of physical evidence in several locations across the country, the experts were able to assist the pipeline company in establishing the cause by reconstructing the physical and human chain of events leading to the rupture and the loss of life. EFI Global also assisted the pipeline company and risk managers in identifying improvements in procedures, testing and safety protocols to prevent a similar event. << Top Explosion and Fire Investigation with Hazardous Materials Assessment Following an explosion and fire at a hazardous wastewater treatment facility, EFI Global responded with a hazardous materials response team. The team assessed the situation, determined entry parameters, entered and examined the scene, and collected evidence. Investigators also assisted the company in reducing the degree of exposure to safe levels. Due to the magnitude of this loss, EFI Global is conducting ongoing investigations of the exact nature of the explosion. << Top Vehicle Fire Investigation Uncovers Design Failure EFI Global investigated a near fatal fire in which a driver immediately stopped on the shoulder of a major freeway after an engine fire spread rapidly into the passenger area. Examination of the vehicle, witness interviews and examination of the loss site proved the fire was caused by a faulty design of the fuel line, resulting in the client’s total recovery of the vehicle and investigation costs. << Top Chemical Processing Facility Explosion – Investigation Recovers More Than $1 Million A team of EFI Global experts responded to an explosion in a chemical processing facility in the Northeast U.S. Located within the area of impact was equipment that used heated oil in the manufacturing process. Analysis of the equipment revealed a faulty thermal safety device that allowed the oil to overheat, ultimately causing the explosion. EFI Global’s identification of the failed equipment and its manufacturer allowed the client to recover monetary damages in excess of $1 million. << Top | 
