Subdivision 1. Immediate entry. In the performance of the duties imposed by the provisions of this chapter, the state fire marshal and subordinates, during and within a reasonable time after a fire has been extinguished, may enter any building or premises where a fire has occurred and other buildings and premises adjoining or near thereto to investigate and gather evidence. In determining whether a search is reasonable within the meaning of this subdivision, the need for investigatory search for the cause of the fire shall be balanced against the privacy rights of the occupant or owner of the building or premises.
Subd. 2. Administrative search warrant. (a) After the reasonable time prescribed by subdivision 1 for an investigatory search has expired, subsequent entries to the building or premises to investigate and gather evidence may be made only if there is consent from the owner or occupant of the building or premises or pursuant to an administrative search warrant issued by a judge.
(b) In determining whether to issue an administrative search warrant for the purposes of this subdivision, the judge, in conforming the decision to constitutional doctrine governing warrant procedures for administrative searches, shall consider but not be limited to the following factors:
(1) scope of the proposed search;
(2) number of prior entries by fire officials;
(3) time of day when the search is proposed to be made;
(4) lapse of time since the fire;
(5) continued use of the building; and
(6) the owner's or occupant's efforts to secure the building against intruders.
Subd. 3. Criminal search warrant. If during the course of an investigatory search under an administrative search warrant issued in accordance with subdivision 2, the fire marshal or subordinates find probable cause to believe arson has occurred and require further access to the building or premises to gather evidence for possible prosecution, a criminal search warrant must be obtained from a judge.
Subd. 4. Securing the scene. In order to prevent the loss, destruction, or alteration of evidence at a fire scene, fire officials may secure fire scenes for up to 48 hours after having extinguished the fire while warrants are obtained or while the investigation authorized in this section is conducted. Fire scene security may be accomplished by preventing any person from entering the fire scene or from removing property from the fire scene. An individual may enter the fire scene if accompanied by the fire official conducting the investigation, or if the individual obtains the fire official's written permission. Persons not complying with the fire security measures under this subdivision are guilty of obstructing legal process as defined in section 609.50. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to increase the civil liability of fire officials or to decrease municipal or state immunities as set forth in section 3.736 or 466.03.
(5959) 1913 c 564 s 10; 1981 c 106 s 2; 1985 c 141 s 1; 1986 c 444
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 299A - 299N — Public Safety
Section 299F.01 — Fire Marshal.
Section 299F.011 — State Fire Code; Administration And Enforcement.
Section 299F.0115 — Exemption For Members Of Federally Recognized Tribes.
Section 299F.012 — Fire Safety Account.
Section 299F.013 — Fuel Dispensing.
Section 299F.014 — Petroleum Storage Tanks; Tank Vehicle Parking.
Section 299F.03 — Special Attorney.
Section 299F.035 — Fire Department Use Of Criminal History Data.
Section 299F.036 — Firefighter; Previous Employment Investigation.
Section 299F.037 — Reporting Firefighter Deaths.
Section 299F.04 — Origin Of Fire Investigated; Computerized Arson Data.
Section 299F.05 — Law Enforcement Powers; Information System.
Section 299F.051 — Arson Training.
Section 299F.052 — Arson Reporting Immunity Law, Citation.
Section 299F.053 — Definitions.
Section 299F.054 — Disclosure Of Information.
Section 299F.055 — Confidential Data; Evidence.
Section 299F.056 — Enforcement.
Section 299F.057 — Applicability Of Ordinances; Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Section 299F.059 — Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention.
Section 299F.06 — Testimonial Powers.
Section 299F.08 — Premises, When Entered.
Section 299F.09 — Building Entered Within Reasonable Hours.
Section 299F.092 — Definitions.
Section 299F.093 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 299F.094 — Report Required; Contents.
Section 299F.095 — Powers And Duties Of Fire Department.
Section 299F.096 — Duty To Safeguard Private Information.
Section 299F.099 — Local Ordinance Preempted.
Section 299F.18 — Combustible Material Removed.
Section 299F.19 — Flammable Liquids And Explosives.
Section 299F.20 — Failure To Comply, Punishment.
Section 299F.28 — Records Are Public, Exceptions.
Section 299F.29 — County And City Attorneys To Assist.
Section 299F.30 — Fire Drill In School; Doors And Exits.
Section 299F.31 — Penalties Paid Into State Treasury.
Section 299F.32 — Statutory Construction.
Section 299F.35 — Statement Of Insured, Use In Civil Action.
Section 299F.3605 — Petroleum Refineries.
Section 299F.362 — Smoke Detector; Installation; Rules; Penalty.
Section 299F.391 — Health Care, Education, Or Lodging Facility.
Section 299F.40 — Liquefied Petroleum Or Industrial Gas Container.
Section 299F.46 — Hotel Inspections.
Section 299F.47 — School Inspections.
Section 299F.48 — Automatic Sprinkler Systems In Existing Public Housing Buildings.
Section 299F.50 — Definitions.
Section 299F.51 — Requirements For Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Section 299F.56 — Definitions; Natural Gas Pipeline Safety.
Section 299F.57 — Safety Standards; Gas Pipeline.
Section 299F.58 — Certification And Report To Federal Government.
Section 299F.59 — Compliance With Standards.
Section 299F.60 — Pipeline Violation; Rules, Civil Penalties.
Section 299F.61 — Pipeline Violation; Injunctive Relief, Judicial Procedure.
Section 299F.62 — Plan To Operate And Maintain Gas Pipeline.
Section 299F.63 — Records, Reports, Inspections.
Section 299F.631 — Inspection Fee; Assessment, Rules.
Section 299F.64 — Federal Money.
Section 299F.641 — Intrastate Hazardous Liquid Pipeline.
Section 299F.72 — Definitions.
Section 299F.73 — License Required.
Section 299F.74 — Permit Required For Possession Or Use.
Section 299F.75 — Permit Application.
Section 299F.76 — Affirmation And Identification; Effective Period.
Section 299F.77 — Issuance To Certain Persons Prohibited.
Section 299F.785 — Black Powder.
Section 299F.79 — Unlawful Possession Of Component; Penalty.
Section 299F.80 — Unlawful Possession Of Explosive; Penalties.
Section 299F.82 — Illegal Transfer; Penalty.
Section 299F.83 — Negligent Discharge.
Section 299F.831 — Handling While Influenced By Alcohol Or Drug.
Section 299F.850 — Cigarette Fire Safety Definitions.
Section 299F.851 — Test Method And Performance Standard.
Section 299F.852 — Certification And Product Change.
Section 299F.853 — Marking And Cigarette Packaging.
Section 299F.854 — Penalties And Remedies.
Section 299F.855 — Implementation.
Section 299F.856 — Inspection.
Section 299F.857 — Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity Account.