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Hawkins recently hosted our first Burning Questions event in Dublin, welcoming clients, colleagues, and industry professionals to The Merrion Hotel for an engaging session focused on forensic fire investigation.
The afternoon began with an informal welcome over tea and coffee, before guests attended a CPD presentation accredited by The Insurance Institute of Ireland. Delivered by Hawkins experts and guest speakers, the session provided both technical expertise and practical insight.
John Holland, Regional Director for the Island of Ireland, opened the event with an update on Hawkins’ continued growth and development. He highlighted our recent international expansion into Italy, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and Australia, as well as the acquisition of A. Lamb Associates (ALA) and its subsidiary, Morham + Brotchie Partnership (M+B). This development strengthens Hawkins’ ability to provide integrated technical, quantum, and delay expertise on a single case, enhancing the service provided to clients.
The presentation centred on a detailed, multi-disciplinary case study, taking attendees through each stage of a complex fire investigation from identifying the origin through to recovery considerations. The scenario explored a fire caused by a defective e-scooter, which spread rapidly through a terrace of converted residential properties, raising important questions around causation, fire spread, liability, and compliance with construction standards.
Ian Stafford, Major and Complex Loss Adjuster at Davies Group, outlined the practical challenges of handling significant losses and emphasised the value of early investigative input. Hawkins fire investigator Jason Buchwitz explained how the origin of the fire was identified and alternative causes eliminated, while structural engineer Killian Walsh explored how shortcomings in fire-stopping contributed to the spread of the fire.
Legal considerations were addressed by Martin Browne of HF (formerly Horwich Farrelly), who discussed potential recovery routes and liability issues. The session concluded with insights from Hawkins’ forensic architect Paul McCaughran, who highlighted design and construction shortcomings that failed to meet building regulation requirements.
The event demonstrated how a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach can effectively resolve complex claims, offering attendees a clear understanding of how expertise across disciplines contributes to determining cause, responsibility, and outcome.
Following the presentation, guests attended a drinks reception with canapés, providing an opportunity to continue discussions in a more informal setting. Attendees also had the chance to explore casework exhibits, including virtual reality photogrammetric models, offering a closer look at the investigative techniques discussed during the session.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, we look forward to welcoming you to future Hawkins Events.
