A fire occurred in April 2006 soon casting shadows on the occurrence because of unclear circumstances. Subsequent actions and examinations were disposed in order to ascertain the cause and dynamics of the fire and to find possible responsibilities of people involved. This study was performed to ascertain the possible fire dynamics of the event, taking into account especially the time of ignition and the phases of flaming and smoldering combustion. After examining all the available evidences, a survey was conducted in the building where the fire occurred and was then decided that experiments were necessary to understand and examine some controversial aspects. The tests carried out were designed not only to investigate the particular conditions of the fire but also to get measurements of important aspects of the combustion dynamics. Both the flaming phase and the smoldering phase of the fire were investigated, and among the outcome two issues of paramount importance for the fire under analysis were highlighted: the role of the accelerant and the quantification of the smoldering combustion. A numerical regression model based on the test results was then developed that could take into account the behavior of the smoldering combustion representative of the fire under examination: paper on desk. This is especially necessary due to 3D fire source and the difficulty of modeling the flaming to smoldering transition, the smoldering phase including its duration and intensity, and finally the possible sensitivity to change in the ventilation regime. On these basis, a timeline of the event was constructed which led to an accepted reconstruction of the event discussed in the trial.
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