Point of Origin is defined as

• A. The general area where the fire began
• B. The area where smoke first vents
• C. Where ignition took place
• D. The direction of fire travel

Answer: (C)

Origin is the exact spot where ignition took place—the point where heat and fuel first met to start the fire. This precise location is identified as the ignition site, not a general area. The area where smoke first vents can help point toward the origin, but it’s a clue about ventilation and flow, not the ignition itself. The direction of fire travel describes movement after ignition, not where it started. So the best choice is the location where ignition took place, the precise ignition site.