Accelerant-Detection Dog Joins Mass. Fire Unit
K9 River, a trained yellow Lab, will help investigators find accelerants at fire scenes across Massachusetts.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dogs
The Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit has added K9 River, a one-and-a-half-year-old yellow Labrador retriever trained to detect accelerants at fire scenes. She is replacing K9 Fulton, who is retiring.
Why it matters
Accelerant-detection dogs help investigators determine how and where a fire started and whether it was set on purpose, which shapes the outcome of fire investigations across the state. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's office has built its core mission around fire investigation for more than 130 years, and the new handler team keeps that capability in service.
K9 River was trained to detect gasoline, kerosene, and other accelerants and will work alongside her handler, Trooper James Colella. She takes over from K9 Fulton, Trooper Colella's former partner.
The players
Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit
The state police unit that investigates fires and explosions across Massachusetts and uses trained canines to detect accelerants.
ATF National Canine Training Center
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives facility in Front Royal, Virginia, that trains detection dogs for law enforcement agencies.
The details
K9 River specializes in alerting law enforcement to ignitable liquids at fire scenes, even after firefighters have applied thousands of gallons of water. Her training covered scent detection for gasoline, kerosene, and other accelerants, and she completed six weeks of instruction at the ATF National Canine Training Center. Once on scene, her alerts guide investigators toward where a fire began and whether an accelerant was involved.
Timeline
K9 River completed six weeks of training at the ATF National Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia, before joining the unit.
Massachusetts State Police welcomed K9 River to the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit around November 4, 2026.
The Home Front
Fire investigation capacity affects how insurers, property owners, and neighborhoods understand the cause of residential fires in Massachusetts. Dedicated accelerant-detection teams are one of the tools that help separate accidental fires from intentionally set ones.
If you own a home in Massachusetts, keep your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested and your fire-safety plan current, since fire investigation outcomes depend on reliable reporting. Contact your local fire department or a licensed fire-safety inspector if you have concerns about your property's electrical or heating systems.
The takeaway
Working dogs like K9 River give investigators a reliable way to find accelerants after a fire, which can clarify how and where it started. If your household has questions about fire safety, your local fire department is the right first call.
Further reading
For more on working dogs and their training, see our Dogs coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NEWS10 ABC.
