New South Wales Consolidated Acts

CORONERS ACT 1980 - SECT 15

15 Inquiries into causes and origins of fires and explosions

(1) A coroner has the jurisdiction and duty to hold an inquiry into the cause and origin of a fire or explosion where the coroner is informed that the fire or explosion has destroyed or damaged any property within this State.

(2) Where after consideration of any information in his or her possession relating to a fire or explosion, the coroner is of opinion that the cause and origin of the fire or explosion are sufficiently disclosed or that an inquiry into the cause and origin of the fire or explosion is unnecessary, the coroner may, subject to subsection (3), dispense with the holding of an inquiry into the cause and origin of the fire or explosion.

(3) A coroner shall not dispense with the holding of an inquiry into the cause and origin of a fire or explosion if the coroner has been requested to hold the inquiry:

(a) in the case of a fire or explosion occurring within a fire district within the meaning of the Fire Brigades Act 1989 , by New South Wales Fire Brigades, or

(b) in the case of a bush fire within the meaning of the Rural Fires Act 1997 by the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, or

(c) by the Minister or the State Coroner.