STOW – The Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit has welcomed a new four-legged member to its team, bringing specialized skills to the investigation of suspicious fires across the Commonwealth.
River, an 18-month-old yellow Labrador retriever, has joined the unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The specially trained accelerant-detection canine will work alongside her handler, Trooper James Colella, to help investigators determine the causes of fires.
River recently completed an intensive 45-day training program with Colella at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia.
The training included familiarizing River with gasoline, kerosene and other ignitable liquids before teaching her to identify even trace amounts of accelerants at fire scenes.
“Fire investigation has been a core mission of the State Fire Marshal’s office for more than 130 years,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “But for all the advances in technology we’ve seen in that time, nothing beats a dedicated trooper and a well-trained K9.”
River joins more than a dozen accelerant-detection dogs working on fire investigations throughout Massachusetts. A similar number of explosive-detection K9s serve with the State Police Statewide Bomb Squad.
The Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit has expanded its canine program in recent years, providing specialized training for dogs assigned to both state and local public safety agencies.
The most recent graduating class included K9 teams from the Falmouth Police Department on Cape Cod, Hudson Police Department, Springfield Fire & Emergency Services and UMass Amherst Police Department, along with State Police units.
Investigators say the dogs can detect the presence of ignitable liquids even after firefighters have used thousands of gallons of water to extinguish a blaze.
When a canine alerts investigators to a possible accelerant, troopers collect samples from flooring, clothing, debris and other materials. Those samples are then transported to the State Police Crime Laboratory for testing to determine whether accelerants or explosives are present.
The laboratory findings can become important evidence in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
“All of these dogs are world-class,” Colella said. “They’re highly motivated, always ready to work, and extremely capable when it comes to identifying accelerants or explosives.”
River is taking over for Colella’s longtime K9 partner, Fulton, who is preparing to retire after years of service.
Fulton, now nearly nine years old, will transition to life as a family pet, leaving behind the overnight emergency responses and demanding work of investigating fire scenes.
Meanwhile, River begins her career assisting local, state and federal investigators in determining the causes of suspicious fires and identifying potential evidence of arson.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the specialized K9 teams remain an important resource for fire departments and law enforcement agencies throughout Massachusetts.
