Hawkins returned to the Merchant Hotel in Belfast for our Burning Questions event bringing together clients, colleagues, and industry professionals for an immersive exploration into the world of forensic fire investigation.
Guests were welcomed with tea and coffee before settling in for our CILA-accredited CPD presentation, delivered by Hawkins’ experts and guest presenters.
John Holland, Regional Director for the Island of Ireland, opened the evening with an overview of key updates at Hawkins, including our recent acquisition of cost consultancy A Lamb Associates (ALA) and its subsidiary Morham + Brotchie Partnership. Hawkins can now provide both technical and quantum and delay on the same case, giving clients un-parallelled service in the market.
Attendees were guided through a detailed timeline of a multi-disciplinary fire investigation, from the initial origin analysis to the final recovery phase. The scenario focused on a fire that originated from a faulty e-scooter and spread rapidly through a row of terraced houses converted into flats, raising questions about causation, liability, and construction standards.
Cathy Scott, a loss adjuster from Crawford & Company, began by explaining her role and the challenges of managing high-profile claims, emphasising the importance of early enquiries. Jason Atkinson, Hawkins’ fire investigator, traced the fire’s origin to a single source, ruling out other possible causes. Hawkins’ fire engineer, Killian Walsh, examined the building’s structure and identified defects in firestopping that contributed to the fire’s spread. Solicitor, Gavin Hegarty of Horwich Farrelly, explored the legal avenues for recovery and liability, while Hawkins’ forensic architect, Paul McCaughran concluded that both design and construction failures had breached building regulations.
The event demonstrated how Hawkins’ integrated expertise can untangle complex claims from start to finish.
The presentation was followed by a networking reception, with free-flowing drinks and canapés. Guests had the opportunity to engage with real-life casework exhibits, explore photogrammetric models of scenes, and share insights with colleagues. Highlights included an exploding aerosol can exhibit and our popular “guess the accelerant” scent challenge. The event offered attendees both professional development and a chance to connect with peers in a relaxed and engaging setting. Thank you to everyone who joined us.
For those who missed out, Hawkins encourages you to stay tuned for future events here.
