SINCE 1967, THIS FIRE MARSHAL HAS SOLVED A RECORD NUMBER OF CASES WITH HIS UNIQUE METHODS OF TRACKING DOWN ARSONISTS. RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP ARSON INVESTIGATORS, HE TELLS ABOUT THE LIFE OF A FIRE MARSHAL: THE LONG, IRREGULAR WORKING HOURS, THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, THE FRUSTRATION, AND THE INFREQUENT REWARDS OF THE PROFESSION. THE NARRATIVE FOCUSES ON THE ARSONPRONE AREAS OF THE CITY, BROWNSVILLE, THE EAST SIDE, BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, STATEN ISLAND, AND THE BRONX, AND TRACES HIS DEVELOPMENT FROM A MARSHAL TRAINEE FRESH FROM THE ROUTINE OF A CITY FIREFIGHTER TO A SKILLED SUPERVISOR AND TRAINER OF THE CITY'S FIRE MARSHALS. EMPHASIZING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASPECTS OF ARSON INVESTIGATION, (HE CARRIES AND USES A GUN) THE AUTHOR PROVIDES AN EPISODIC AND ANECDOTAL VIEW OF THE FIRE MARSHAL AS A SAVVY STREET COP PURSUING, WITH LITTLE OR NO RECOURSE TO THE FORENSIC ASPECTS OF FIRE INVESTIGATION, THE CONTEMPORARY ARSONIST--THE JUVENILE FIRE SETTER, THE REVENGEFUL LOVER, THE PYROMANIAC, AND THE BUSINESSMAN BENT ON INSURANCE FRAUD. NO DATA OR REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)