The assistants to the Fire Marshal provided for in Section 36-19-3 shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstance of every fire occurring in any municipality or place in this state by which property has been destroyed or damaged, to determine, so far as it is possible, whether the fire was the result of carelessness or design. Such investigation shall be begun immediately upon the occurrence of the fire by the assistant in whose territory such fire has occurred; and, if it appears to the officer making the investigation that such fire is of suspicious origin, the Fire Marshal shall be immediately notified of such fact.
Ala. Code § 36-19-5 (1975)