Which of the following could be a sign of arson?

The presence of unusual activity before or after a fire can indeed be a key indicator of arson. Typically, arson involves deliberate actions to cause a fire, often accompanied by suspicious behavior surrounding the event. This could encompass individuals acting furtively, gathering materials that could be used to ignite a fire, or fleeing the scene shortly after the fire starts. Recognizing and reporting such behavior assists investigators in determining whether a fire was set intentionally or if it resulted from natural causes or an accident.

While other options may relate to fire scenarios, they do not directly indicate the likelihood of arson as effectively as unusual activity does. For instance, people smoking cigarettes might pose a fire risk but does not inherently point to malicious intent. Odors can arise from various sources unrelated to arson, and uncharged fire extinguishers, while potentially problematic in responding to a fire, do not signal the act of setting a fire deliberately. Identifying and assessing unusual activity helps in corroborating suspicions of arson, making it a critical factor in fire investigations.