Section 8

When any fire occurs within a Municipal Board area whereby damage or loss is occasioned to any dwelling-house or other building, the

Chairman may, if he thinks fit, and shall if requested thereto in writing by two or more ratepayers, institute an inquiry into the cause of such fire and the circumstances attending the same.

For the purpose of such inquiry, the Chairman shall have and may exercise all the statutory and other powers which shall for the time being be vested in and exercisable by a Magistrate for summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses, for administering oaths or affirmations to such witnesses, and for compelling such witnesses to answer all reasonable and proper questions relative to the matters which are the subject of such inquiry.

The Chairman shall within 7 days from the conclusion of such inquiry transmit to the Minister the depositions taken by him together with his finding as to the cause of the fire.