What type of fire pattern may indicate the use of an accelerant?

The hourglass-shaped fire pattern is indicative of the use of an accelerant because it typically suggests that there was a concentrated heat source that spread out in a defined manner, creating a distinct shape that narrows in the middle and widens at both ends. This pattern can occur when an accelerant is used to intensify the fire, causing it to spread more rapidly and visibly along the path of the additional fuel.

In fire investigations, various patterns help determine the cause and origin of a fire. The hourglass shape often indicates a scenario where an accelerant was deliberately introduced, as the uniformity and extension of the flames can point toward systematic application rather than random burning. Other fire patterns, while helpful in identifying different types of fires, do not typically signify the use of an accelerant in the same clear way as the hourglass pattern does.