In September of 1948, after a eight year old boy had been severely burned in a gasoline fire (he had purchased a coffee can full of gasoline for his mother), strict enforcement of fire codes and ordinances was ordered.

Chief Fire Inspector W.Y. Alexander and Assistant Chief Wood were given instructions to arrest persons whose violation of the laws had caused fires or which seriously endangered life and property.

Procedure for inspectors after ascertaining the cause of a fire, and where a violation of the law was determined, was to sign a complaint against the guilty party and have them arrested.