What is a primary indicator of a fire's origin as suggested by its pattern?

The arrangement of debris serves as a primary indicator of a fire's origin because it provides vital clues about the fire's progression and the materials involved. Analyzing how debris is positioned can reveal the fire's point of origin and the path it took as it spread. For instance, a concentrated area of burned material can often point to where the fire started, while how debris is scattered can indicate the dynamics of the fire's growth, such as if it was influenced by ventilation or wind.

Factors like flame color or temperature variations can offer insights about the type of materials burning and the fire's intensity but do not directly trace back to the fire's source. Similarly, while the type of material affected may suggest potential ignition sources, it is the arrangement of debris that provides the most direct evidence related to the fire's location and development narrative. This focus on debris arrangement is critical for fire investigators when determining how a fire started and spread.