Pennsylvania Act 1864-453 — FIRE MARSHAL - PHILADELPHIA - UNDER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Act text

FIRE MARSHAL - PHILADELPHIA - UNDER POLICE DEPARTMENT
                 Act of Apr. 20, 1864, P.L. 515, No. 453              Cl. 11
                                  AN ACT

     Relating to the office of fire marshal of the police department
        of the city of Philadelphia.

        Section 1.  Right of fire marshal to enter on premises to
     investigate fires
        The fire marshal shall, under the instructions and orders of
     the mayor, be authorized to enter any building or premises,
     wherein a fire has at any time occurred, for the purpose of
     making such examination as may be deemed necessary to ascertain
     the cause of the burning; and any person preventing or
     obstructing, or attempting to prevent or obstruct, said fire
     marshal, while in the discharge of the duty aforesaid, shall be
     guilty of a misdemeanor; and, on conviction thereof, shall be
     fined in a sum not exceeding fifty dollars, or undergo an
     imprisonment not exceeding three calendar months, or both, at
     the discretion of the court.  1864, April 20, P.L. 515, Sec. 1.
        Section 2.  Subpoena and examination of witnesses
        The Mayor of the City of Philadelphia is hereby authorized,
     whenever in his judgment the occasion demands it, to issue
     subpoena, in the name of the State of Pennsylvania, to any
     person or persons, requiring them to attend before him, or the
     fire marshal, at such time and place as may be named in said
     subpoena, then and there to testify, under oath or affirmation,
     which the fire marshal, in the absence of the mayor, is hereby
     empowered to administer, as to the origin of any fire occurring
     within the bounds of the consolidated City of Philadelphia, and
     also as to any facts or circumstances that may be deemed
     important to secure the detection and conviction of any party or
     parties guilty of the offences of arson or attempted arson.
     1864, April 20, P.L. 515, Sec. 2.
        Section 3.  Direction and service of subpoenas
        Such subpoena may be directed to any police officer of the
     city of Philadelphia, who is hereby empowered to serve the same.
     1864, April 20, P.L. 515, Sec. 3.