Singapore legislation
Section 16
Section 16
Power to enter premises, etc., up to 48 hours after fire
(1)
For the purposes of investigating the cause or origin of any fire which has occurred in or on any aircraft, vessel or vehicle, or in or on any premises, the Commissioner, or a member of the Force or a fire forensic specialist authorised by the Commissioner in writing —
may enter and inspect those premises or any adjacent premises, or may board the aircraft, vessel or vehicle, as the case may be; and
may seize or detain the aircraft or vehicle.
(2)
The power conferred under subsection (1)(a) on the Commissioner, or a member of the Force or a fire forensic specialist authorised by the Commissioner, may be exercised —
without notice within a period of 48 hours after the fire on the premises, aircraft, vessel or vehicle (as the case may be) has been put out; and
in any other case, only after giving written notice of the intended entry to the occupier of the premises or intended boarding to the owner of the aircraft, vessel or vehicle, as the case may be.
(3)
However, this section does not authorise the Commissioner, or a member of the Force or a fire forensic specialist, to enter any part of any premises, or to board any part of an aircraft, vessel or vehicle (as the case may be), without first producing (if so required) an authenticated document showing his or her authority to so enter or board.
(4)
To avoid doubt, nothing in this section limits the powers of any authority to investigate accidents under any written law for the time being in force relating to air navigation or merchant shipping.[8B